The Lost Empire is a 1984 fantasy action adventure movie written and directed by Jim Wynorski. The film stars Melanie Vincz, Raven De La Croix, Angela Aames, Paul Coufos and Angus Scrimm. Wynorski is kind of a legendary B-movie director now with over a hundred films to his credit but he started writing films like Sorceress (1982) and Screwballs (1983). However, he wanted to move on to directing and got a theater owner to finance his debut film, which was originally going to be tax write off but the producer liked it so much he actually released it. For years it was sort of obscure but recently got a proper release on home video.
When her brother is hospitalized by ninja robbers who steal a magic jewel, Inspector Angel Wolfe of the L.A.P.D goes on a fantastical quest along with her native american friend Whitestar and the rowdy convict Heather McClure. The three infiltrate a religious cult located in an island fortress and fight the ghoulish forces of evil.
When it comes to B-movies that throw everything at the wall to see what sticks, I think The Lost Empire is simultaneously the most well known example of this but also the one that embodies the disjointed feeling you can expect from such a description the least. What I mean is that there is a cohesive throughline in this film, not only when it comes to the plot but also when it comes to the tone and the passionate spirit that you feel while watching it. You can tell this was made by a fan of overtly exploitative and lurid pulp fiction of the cheesy variety. Wynorski himself said that he thought this was going to be his only chance at making a movie so he threw in everything he wanted to see in a feature film. This includes ancient wizards who turn into creatures, ninjas, a prison mudfight, gorillas and a lot of busty women. A lot of odd elements that would come up in his extensive filmography from time to time.
The main trio of actresses are very good in their respective roles, considering this is a Wynorski film you usually assume that they were chosen for their physical attributes instead of their talent but these girls manage to be very loveable and embody their characters with charm and grace, highlighting subtly the archetype they are without overdoing it or coming off as bland. They are perfectly balanced when it comes to their delivery and their demeanor, ending up as believable and more than a caricature. All of them are also badasses and engage in some fearsome combat sequences. Wynorski makes them daring and skilled, having some nice chemistry and a palpable sense of comradery in some of the action sequences.
A good amount of the effects of this film fits very well with the unreal and stylized pulpy atmosphere it creates, some good practical and optical effects that look campy enough to fit but also technically adept enough to impress for the craft or just for the endearing nature of those obsolete tricks. The cinematography is also very solid, this was shot with care for the frame and the space in the shot by Jacques Haitkin, who adds some technical refinement to the sleazy and extravagant images Wynorski came up with.
Some people might have issues with the pacing but it's really not a very long film, it starts off very action-packed and carefully constructed enough to intrigue you even if you are aware that the film engages in some sort of understated self-parody, right from the intentionally silly (in a sly way) opening crawl. I don't think the film feels like a drag but you can sometimes feel like the shots go on for a little too long or that the movie doesn't have enough of a drive or even a proper exploration of a central character to hang onto, but those worries are dissipated by its virtues.
A highly recommended piece for those who like adventure camp with some exploitation vibes. Fun and deranged flick.
