Rain Pierson's Queen of Swords Reviews
From The HollywoodReporter.com
While living in Spain, Maria Teresa ("Tessa") Alvarado gets bad news about her father: He has been killed in an accident. Returning home to the primitive colony of California, Tessa learns that it was not mishap, but murder, a result of grim conditions in the Golden State. A virtual military dictatorship is in place, and the taxes on Tessa's family rancho are well past due.
This hourlong syndicated adventure is rendered as straight drama rather than tongue-in-cheekily. Unlike, say, "Zena, Warrior Princess," it's a series that wants to be taken, well, seriously. The title song, "Behind the Mask," performed by Jose Feliciano, adds panache.
The acting generally is decent but nothing to write home about, and the fight sequences could use some punching up. But the lead characters are somewhat engaging. One hopes the evil characters will display greater propensities for bad behavior, and that the title character, played by Tessie Santiago, will display even more derring-do (with the aid of stuntwomen).
As a weekly adventure with swordplay, furious horse chases, trigger-happy soldiers and the beautiful queen of swords playing Robin Hood, there's enough visual momentum to please action fans.
As for its source of inspiration, here's another hint: Think masked avenger.
That's right, "Queen of Swords" is an unabashed new take on "The Mark of Zorro," inspired by that film (and probably the Disney TV series as well). "Swords," however, carves out its own mythology and characters.
Alvarado, as Tessa, seems to be the only landowner in 19th century Spanish-run Los Angeles with the courage to stand up to the evil Col. Luis Montoya (Valentine Pelka).
But naturally, a solo "outlaw" needs discretion, and so Tessa dresses in black, which incidentally flatters her figure. She also wears a lacy mask, which is all but transparent. But hey, if we can believe that a pair of eyeglasses works for Clark Kent, we can believe the soldiers and gentry are baffled by Tessa's disguise.
And did we mention that Tessa defied convention in Spain by studying the art of swordplay? She's pretty good with a blade, and of course, she's going to play warrior outlaw princess in California.
What's cool and refreshing about the series is that it takes its adventure seriously. It's not a period spoof, like "Xena." There are also Latinos in main and supporting roles, another authentic and welcome item. And to complete the look, Almeria, Spain, serves as a stand-in for early Los Angeles.
The nice touches include enjoyable character quirks and hints of complexity. Col. Montoya, for example, plays the violin superbly and enjoys the trappings of high culture, in contrast with his ruthless pirate heart. Paulina Galvez as Marta, Tessa's companion, is no retiring servant of the time period, but a supportive ally to the Queen of Swords. And Anthony Lemke, as Capt. Marcus Grisham, is a wild card who is cooly amoral.
There are sensual and sexual moments as well, although the one romantic coupling is accomplished energetically but discreetly under the covers.
Elements that could be punched up are more references to the politics of the time and to the lands held by the Spanish during that period. Additionally, it might be nice to focus on the details of living in Los Angeles then. The crowd in the town square seems a little thin, and the premiere doesn't focus at all on the Native Americans who lived in the area and who were drafted to work at the local mission.
What the series could use is a bit more humor to leaven the production. Not too much, now, or we slip into "Hercules" and "Xena" territory. And perhaps Tessa could be allowed to relax more in her role as avenger of the oppressed. We know it's life and death. And we hope her lace mask never slips and reveals her true identity.
QUEEN OF SWORDS
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/reviews/IndividualReview.asp?StaffReviewID=3203
Queen of Swords
By Michael Farkash
UPN
Fireworks/Morena Films/Amy International in association with Telefonica and M6
Executive producers: Jay Firestone, Adam Haight, David Abramowitz
Co-executive producers: Alvaro Longoria, Simon MacCorkindale
Producer: Ken Gord
Writer: James Thorpe
Director: Jon Cassar
Director of photography: Alwyn Kumst
Original music: Philip Stanger
Cast: Tessie Santiago, Paulina Galvez, Valentine Pelka, Anthony Lemke, Peter Wingfield, Elsa Pataky, Tacho Gonzalez.
Airdate: Saturday, Oct. 7, 3-4 p.m.
