"King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" is the story of Camelot according to director Guy Ritchie and because this is Ritchie's version, some of the elements are familiar and some seem created to tell a story that's more action-packed than we're used to. Notably absent are Merlin (though he's mentioned), Lancelot, Galahad and various other knights. The story begins when Arthur is just a child. His father, Uther Pendragon (Eric Bana) rules Camelot and successfully defeats the dreaded mage Mordred. Meanwhile, Uther's brother, Vortigern (Jude Law) orchestrates a bloody coup that leaves Uther and his wife dead. Arthur, smuggled out aboard a small boat, becomes an orphan in Londinium, where he is raised in a brothel. Twenty years later, Arthur (Charlie Hannam) is brought to Camelot like all males his age to see if he can pull the sword Excalibur from a stone, one way that Vortigern can find his lost nephew. When Arthur is successful, he is imprisoned and scheduled for execution. Aided by a mage (Astrid Berges-Frisbey), the knight Sir Bedivere (Djimon Hounsou) and a few of Arthur's friends, Arthur escapes and joins the rebellion, determined to remove Vortigern from power.
There are a lot of battle scenes, all expertly choreographed and Ritchie doesn't allow things to get bogged down with subplots or a lot of exposition. He keeps things moving, even when not a lot happens. The film's look is one of its strengths, providing a fully realized Medieval setting. The CGI is well integrated, even when there are giant battle elephants on screen. Ritchie has indicated that "Legend of the Sword" is the first movie in a cycle although it can stand on its own if the box office isn't strong enough for a sequel. Wait for a reduced matinee price or cable.
No comments:
Post a Comment