KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD is a mixed bag.   It works best when it is more grounded and gritty, but it falters when it gets overwhelmed by the special effects sequences (like oversized elephants in the opening battle for example and the CGIed Ursula –like demon that Vortigern is aligned with).  Jude Law is Arthur’s evil Uncle Vortigern who seems to shop at the same pimp daddy magician store that Ray Liotta’s evil wizard (from IN THE NAME OF THE KING) went to for his look.  

 

This latest take on the King Arthur legend is a different and unique take as only Guy Ritchie could think of.   I wish they pulled back on the heavy special effects sequences and worried less about making this turn into a race against time tale (Like many blockbusters seem to do today).   I feel the scenes with Arthur and his gang of rough friends from the streets of Londnium was the best part of the movie.  Jude Law is great as Vortigern given the material written for that character.  The female mage is one of the better characters in the movie and I like Merlin being mentioned instead of being a part of the movie (and I wonder if Merlin would have shown up in a sequel).  The big problem is I don’t think we will ever see a sequel to this movie given its $175 million cost and its poor performance at the box office (and I wonder if some producers of this movie are thinking now if they should have made this movie for less and cut back on the special effects).

 

SECIAL FEATURES:

ARTHUR WITH SWAGGER- a focus on Charlie Hunam and how everyone says he is nice and good looking guy

SWORD FROM THE STONE- go on set with director Guy Ritchie as he puts his stamp on the movie

PARRY AND BLEED- behind the scenes of the sword fight training and action

 

BUILDING ON THE PAST- production design and set design of the movie- a behind-the-scenes look at the building of the sets and all of the detail that went into the sets

INSIDE THE CUT: THE ACTION OF KING ARTHUR- behind-the-scenes of the stunts of the movie and an interview with the stunt coordinator

CAMELOT IN 93 DAYS- a ten minute look at the production period of KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD

 

LEGEND OF EXCALIBUR- designing the perfect Excalibur

SCENIC SCOTLAND-  on location in Scotland

 

FINAL ANALYSIS: KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD is a very good looking movie from a production design standpoint with some good gritty characters, but the last half hour is a little muddled and could have used more gritty action (instead of CGI action).  It is far from a perfect movie and its flaws (and promotional campaign) are what caused the new take on King Arthur to flop at the box office

 

This review is ©8-12-2017 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com

 

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