King Arthur 3D: Legend of the Sword
(2017)Writer-director Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes) casts Charlie Hunnam (Pacific Rim) as King Arthur in this retelling of the classic medieval tale, tracing the prince's journey from the streets to the throne.... More
When his father is murdered, Vortigern (Jude Law), Arthur's uncle, seizes the crown. Robbed of his birthright and with no idea who he truly is, Arthur comes up the hard way in the back alleys of the city. But once he pulls the Excalibur from the stone, his life is turned upside down and he is forced to acknowledge his true legacy.Hide
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Directed by Guy Ritchie
Starring Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law, Eric Bana, Annabelle Wallis, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Djimon Hounsou, Aidan Gillen, Tom Wu, David Beckham
Written by Guy Ritchie, Joby Harold
Flicks Review
BY John Fielding Flicks Writer
There hasn’t been a decent King Arthur movie since John Boorman’s pretty but portentous Excalibur (1981). But now that swords, sorcery and SFX are bigger business than ever, thanks to GoT and LOTR, it was only a matter of time before someone tried to kickstart a new franchise with a visionary director. Step forward Warner Bros and Guy Ritchie with the first in what was at one point apparently conceived as, whisper it, a six-part series.... More
Legend of the Sword opens in epic battle mode, with 300ft attack elephants storming the castle of Arthur’s father Uther Pendragon (Eric Bana), and the villainous Vortigen (Jude Law) seizing power. Then, boom, we’re in a medieval Londinium-set caper movie which recasts Arthur (Charlie Hunnam) as another of Ritchie’s street-smart geezers on the make. With sped-up storytelling, multiple narrators and jokey nicknames all round, it’s familiar territory for the writer/director, even if purists will blanch at a super-buff King Arthur sassing his foes with sexist putdowns. There’s even a footballer cameo – although it’s David Beckham rather than Vinnie Jones this time.
The film’s final act is more traditional, and forgettable, with Arthur and his ragtag gang, including the always-reliable Dijmon Hounsou and Neil Maskell, the charismatic if underused Craig McGinlay, and the strikingly wooden Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, plotting to regain his rightful kingdom with the help of a certain sword.
With plenty of character, but no consistency, the film is so scattershot in its world-building that none of it convinces. Are we watching a fantastical epic? A jokey post-modern takedown? Ritchie can’t seem to decide and, in the constant rush to keep us watching, throws everything at the screen instead. The result is an unholy, if entertaining, mess.Hide
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King Arthur 3D: Legend of the Sword
The Press Reviews
Put your fingers in your ears when the talking starts, and you might enjoy the view. Full Review
Ritchie’s film is at all times over the top, crashing around its digital landscapes in all manner of beserkness... Full Review
Devolves into a jumbled affair, weighed down by confusing supernatural elements and a lazy reliance on visual effects. Full Review
This is a tonal misfire, its characters cut down by a blitzkrieg of whip pans, CGI and thunderous percussion. Full Review
Just a loud, obnoxious parade of flashy set pieces, as one visually busy, belligerent action scene after another marches by, each making less sense than the last.. Full Review
Loud, bombastic and thuddingly obvious, this is a vulgar movie for vulgar times. Full Review
A lot of shenanigans, detours and filler, some bad, some good and all of it disposable. Full Review
King Arthur sees Ritchie taking on one of the founding myths of Pomgolia. And losing. Full Review
If you’re easily pleased by a bit of well-rendered CGI spectacle and cod-fantasy set dressing, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword will scratch that itch. Full Review
If nothing else, this is a heck of a lot more entertaining than the staid 2004 King Arthur film starring Clive Owen. Full Review
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