King Arthur

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Jason S. @invinoveritas Feb 17 Everybody hates this movie, but I kind of like it. The action was solid, and the cinematography was actually really good. See more Michael S @RT09908488 Nov 20 Lot of hate but I thought it was great! See more Leaburn O @RT35452347 Oct 3 Terrible British cast, incredibly corny but somehow entertaining throughout and had excellent battle scenes. Watched on DVD. See more Johannes S @RT64416087 Sep 9 It's cinematic and gorgeous. The music by Hans Zimmer goes nuts and the action sequences are amazing. I really enjoy this movie, but I cannot give it more stars due to the gigantic plotholes and decision making. See more Miguel R @Mugz805 Aug 17 One of my favorite movies See more Glafira Regina O @Glafira_Regina Aug 15 King Arthur is the central figure of British epic tradition. Tales and legends were woven about his deeds and the exploits of the Knights of the Round Table, and novels were written in his honor. His name became a household word, symbolizing the greatness of the English lands. The cycle of legends—more commonly referred to as the Arthurian cycle—formed the foundation for much of popular culture. Countless books, films, and TV series have been made about him. Many historians believe that there was a real historical prototype for Arthur, which has fueled numerous theories and interpretations of who the British national hero truly was. Director Antoine Fuqua is a talented creator of fast-paced thrillers and crime action films, but it seems the revival of medieval-themed cinema influenced him as well. This time, he decided to work in the historical genre for the first time. To his credit, he approached the project with an unusual concept, basing the story on the theory that King Arthur was not a Celtic knight, but the Roman military commander Lucius Artorius Castus. This is a bold interpretation that upends the traditional image of the national hero. Critics and seasoned viewers tend to appreciate originality, but in this case, the filmmakers may have outsmarted themselves. In terms of genre, this is a standard historical action-adventure, an epic journey rolled into one. However, it falls far short of the genre’s best works and the great epic films of the past. The issue lies not in historical inaccuracies, but in creative execution. First, it’s a rather dull and dreary watch, lacking in large-scale battle scenes. Second, it’s drenched in a crushing, overbearing pathos that permeates every minute. The main characters speak in stilted, unnatural language, delivering awkward moralizing lines. While the filmmakers radically altered the traditional concept of the historical epic, they failed to come up with anything fresh or unconventional to replace it. That said, the film isn’t a complete disaster. From a technical standpoint, it’s hard to fault. The cinematography is top-notch, and Hans Zimmer’s score—as always—delivers the appropriate grandeur (in fact, there’s too much of it) while skillfully setting the tone. There are nods to classic films of the past—the frozen lake battle scene is an obvious homage to the Battle on the Ice. Unfortunately, these touches aren’t enough to save the overall experience. The casting is particularly weak, with many actors poorly matched to their roles. Clive Owen is passable as Arthur, but Ioan Gruffudd is completely out of place as Lancelot. Merlin, such a pivotal character in the lore, is portrayed in a surprisingly clumsy and unimpressive way. Even with a roster of A-list actors, Fuqua fails to use their talents to the fullest, leaving many in glorified background roles. King Arthur ultimately comes across as a failed attempt to reinterpret the legendary tales of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The creators took a calculated risk but fell short of being true innovators in the historical genre. Despite having first-rate actors, a huge budget, and the necessary resources, the director could not use them effectively. The result is a solid, visually striking, yet hollow historical action film. Still, it’s worth watching once. See more Read all reviews

King Arthur

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