When the Space Pirate Queen asked me if I was interested in watching and reviewing a movie starring Nicolas Cage that took place during the Crusades my response was somewhere in the “Oh Hellz Yes” category. That movie, kids, is Outcast.
This movie is without a doubt entertaining and not just because Nicolas Cage has a British accent in it. Outcast is the story of warrior Jacob (Hayden Christensen) who years after the Crusades is in “The Far East” and he helps a young prince and princess escape from their evil warlord brother, Shing, who is on a mission to have them killed so that he may be the next Emperor. Jacob is haunted by his time in the Crusades and is also an opium addict, so he’s a lot of fun to be around, but he’s also an excellent warrior. The movie shows their journey which is certainly bumpy and includes deception, betrayal, and redemption.
I have to say that I was kind of rooting for Shing during the movie. I mean, I would be pissed too if my dad made me become a warrior and then specifically bypassed the throne to my younger brother because I was a warrior and the next Emperor supposedly ought to be a peaceful man. That’s a Catch 22 if there ever was one, so poor Shing. Sure, he can be a little bloodthirsty, but he spent his entire life defending the very country he was supposed to rule one day! Screw his old man! You do you, Shing, you do you.
