Today’s quick review: King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. Arthur (Charlie Hunnam), the true heir to the throne of England, learns of his heritage when Vortigern (Jude Law), the usurper king, locates Arthur and attempts to have him killed. With no other options left, Arthur takes up his father’s sword Excalibur and leads a desperate revolution to reclaim his kindgom.
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is a stylized fantasy action movie from director Guy Ritchie. The movie reimagines King Arthur as a streetwise rogue who must be dragged into his role as a revolutionary. Taking a few liberties with its source material, Legend of the Sword injects the traditional myth with special effects-laden fantasy action and the cocky, tenacious attitude of the British underclass.
King Arthur features the punchy style of direction Guy Ritchie is known for. Fast cuts, snappy banter, and nonlinear storytelling give the movie a remarkable sense of momentum. But King Arthur is almost too stylish for its own good. The movie blazes through its exposition at an alarming rate, and following what is going on takes an unusual amount of concentration for an action movie.
Beyond its quirky presentation, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is a solid but unexceptional action movie. The plot hits all the beats it needs to, although it feels like it’s missing a twist somewhere. The characters have the humor and determination to get the job done, but they are not as memorable as Guy Ritchie’s best. The action sequences are slick, imaginative affairs that put the movie’s fantasy elements to good use, although they are widely spaced.
Watch King Arthur: Legend of the Sword when you are in the mood for some stylish fantasy action. The movie’s fast pacing and unconventional presentation make it hard to follow, but those willing to invest the effort will have fun. Skip it if you are looking for a straightforward action movie or a faithful adaptation of the myth. For a more realistic but somewhat less interesting take on the legend, check out King Arthur.
6.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for slick action, inventive writing, and flawed presentation.