If one has been exposed to any form of the fantasy genre within the last century, they will no doubt know that the common McGuffin/plot device for a multitude of myths, legends, and heroic journeys is often an enchanted weapon or magical item that determines the fate of the kingdom, realm, planet, or even universe.
Fantasy films have so many of these weapons in their armory that it borders on parody. Of course, that's what makes them work in the long run. As hard as it is not to have a collection of enchanted swords and blades, fans will come to find that the use of weaponry is as varied as the genre itself.
10 Sting (The Hobbit)
Though many fans of Tolkien's delightful fairytale about Hobbits, dragons, and dwarves will instantly think of the Peter Jackson adaptation, it's the Rankin Bass original that wins this spot.
Although the enchanted elven dagger glows bright blue when orcs or goblins are near, the animated version seems to have a more magical effect in this adaptation of Middle Earth, especially against the Murkwood spiders.
9 Excalibur (Various)
How does one even start with perhaps the most famous sword of all literature? The power of Excalibur varies from adaptation to adaptation. In one version it might give the wielder the authority to rule over all England. In another, it might be the secret to conquering an evil army.
But whether one draws the sword from the stone and anvil or just has it bestowed upon them by the Lady of the Lake, no story, film, or other adaptation of Arthurian legend would be complete without it.
8 The Glaive (Krull)
To be perfectly honest, no one should wield this bladed boomerang without proper protection. With that in mind, the Glaive is perhaps one of the deadliest magical objects in the film genre.
Not only does this weapon come with five retractable blades, but its movement and accuracy can be determined by a telekinetic link with its Chosen One. It certainly makes short work of the alien invaders who invade the land of Krull.
7 Medusa’s Head (Clash of the Titans)
It's one of the most famous enchanted items in the realms of classic mythology, and probably the most hideous as well. In order to defeat the mighty Kraken, Perseus must behead the gorgon, Medusa, to turn him to stone.
Granted, many enchanted items in the genre have the ability to render threats into stone statues, but there is perhaps none so famous than this one.
6 Jadis’s Scepter (The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe)
Speaking of turning things to stone, let's talk about the White Witch of Narnia. Medusa's head was great for taking out the Kraken, but what would happen if things were put on a larger scale?
Not only is the Witch's scepter the source of her evil magic, but it renders any living thing she aims it towards into stone. From butterflies to giants, no follower of Aslan is safe from her wrath.
5 Stormbreaker (Avengers: Infinity War)
As tempting as it was to mention Mjolnir in this spot, logic dictated that the crown went to the mighty Stormbreaker. Not only does it act as Thor's conduit of thundering power, but it features both a hammerhead and an ax blade to deliver both bludgeoning and severing abilities.
But when the Norse god of thunder is behind the hilt, how much of an upgrade does that idea really need?
4 The Black Cauldron (The Black Cauldron)
The Black Cauldron is a necromancer's dream come true. An indestructible vessel of pure evil fueled by the soul of a wicked king with the ability to raise and command an army of the dead?
How does that not sound like something out of a D&D fueled nightmare? It definitely served as the plot device for perhaps the darkest Disney flick on record. Not even Mickey's magic hat could clear that mess up.
3 Maleficent’s Staff (Sleeping Beauty)
Most wands, staffs, and other magical tokens of witches and wizards only channel their magical energy. Maleficent's staff, on the other hand, goes a little bit farther.
The Mistress of All Evil draws forth her power from the staff, true enough, but it also grants her to command "all the powers of Hell" to enact her curse, teleport, and transform into a fire-breathing dragon. Let's see the Fairy Godmother do that.
2 The Elder Wand (Harry Potter Series)
The bloody trail of the Elder Wand is splattered across the pages of magical history. It's been called the Wand of Destiny and the Deathstick, amongst other things, but fans will no doubt know it as the wand of Albus Dumbledore.
As one of the infamous Deathly Hallows, it's perhaps the most powerful wand in the Wizarding World and should probably be feared as much as coveted.
1 The One Ring (The Lord of the Rings)
One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them. This is the warning of the Ring of Power from Tolkein's famous epic. Not only does the ring have the ability to render its wearer invisible, but command the Nazgul and manipulate the powers of will and darkness.
Although Bilbo was protected from its corruption by his innocence alone, not even the powers of Gandalf are immune from its evil enchantment. To say it isn't the genre's atom bomb would be a gross understatement.
from ScreenRant - Feed https://ift.tt/3aOUDh8
No comments: