The tyrant Gedren seeks the total power in a world of barbarism. She raids the city Hablac and kills the keeper of a talisman that gives her great power. Red Sonja, sister of the keeper, sets out with her magic sword to overthrow Gedren.
Mr. Fleischer brings absolutely no playfulness to what might, at least, have been enjoyably light. And he brings out the worst in a cast that was ill-chosen to begin with.
– Janet Maslin,
New York Times,
20 May 2003
rotten:
Worst of all, there's a charmless brat prince for Sonja to take under her wing.
– Geoff Andrew,
Time Out,
24 Jun 2006
rotten:
Red Sonja returns to those olden days when women were women and the menfolk stood around with funny hats on until called forth to be whacked at.
– Variety Staff,
Variety,
26 Mar 2009
fresh:
The dialogue passages don't exactly play like Noel Coward, but this is a movie that succeeds rousingly well on its own humble, Saturday-night terms.