King Arthur Legend of the Sword: My Movie Review

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is a 2017 epic fantasy adventure film written and directed by Madonna’s husband named Guy Ritchie. This movie is based on Arthurian legends, which stars Charlie Hunnam (Percy Fawcett of the Lost City of Z) as the titular character himself — King Arthur.

This movie has a production budget of $175 million, but the film only grossed $140 million worldwide, losing Warner Bros. around $150 million. This movie was intended first installment of a planned 6 film series, but the poor critical and box office performance of the film keeps the future unclear for a possible franchise.

The story started with Mordred, played by Rob Knighton (Tim of Anti-Social), a powerful warlock whom Vortigern, played by Jude Law (Dr. John Watson of Sherlock Holmes), summoned to defeat and usurp the throne of his brother King Uther Pendragon, played by Eric Bana (Hector of Troy), Arthur’s father.

Vortigen killed his own wife Elsa, played by Katie McGrath (Lady Morgana of Merlin), to summon a demon knight to kill Uther’s wife and slay him in combat turning him into a stone where the legendary sword Excalibur was stuck.

Arthur remained the only survivor in his family who drifts away in a boat and ends up in Londinium, where he is found and raised by prostitutes.

Arthur grows into a skilled man who can fight on the streets, alongside his friends Tristan aka Wet Stick, played by Kingsley Ben-Adir (Officer Hawkins of World War Z), and Backlack, played by Neil Maskell (Dr. Whemple of The Mummy). They confronted a group of Vikings headed by Kjartan who had mistreated the prostitutes, until they were brought to Camelot by Blacklegs, his uncle’s minions who works with the Vikings. Arthur is forced by Blacklegs to pull a magic sword Excalibur, and he did it. Vortigern met him in the dungeon revealing his true lineage. Then, a woman identifying herself as an acolyte of Merlin, referred to as The Mage, played by Astrid Berges-Frisbey (Syrena of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides), meets with Uther’s former general named Sir Bedivere, played by Djimon Hounsou (Korath of Guardians of the Galaxy).

Also in the cast were: Aidan Gillen (Petyr Baelish of Game of Thrones) as Sir William “Goosefat Bill” Wilson, a skilled archer, a friend of Bedivere, former knight of Uther and member of the resistance; Craig McGinlay (Ryan of Blood Loss) as Sir Percival, a member of the resistance who became a knight by Bedivere; Tom Wu (Hundred Eyes of Marco Polo) as Sir George, Arthur’s mentor and a skilled fighter who helped the resistance and later turned into knight by Bedivere; Freddie Fox (King Louis of The Three Musketeers) as Rubio, ,member of the resistance who later betrayed them under torture and helped Vortigern; Annabelle Wallis (Jenny Halsey of the Mummy) as Maggie, Vortigern’s maid who helped the resistance; Mikael Persbrandt (Beorn of The Hobbit) as Greybeard, a Viking who dealt with Vortigern; Poppy Delevingne (Clara Von Gluckfberg of Kingsman: The Golden Circle) as Igraine, Arthur’s mother and Uther’s wife who was killed by Vortigern at the beginning of the film; Kamil Lemieszewski (Greek Protestant of Jason Bourne) as the wizard Merlin; Jacqui Ainsley (Madison Paige of Heavy Rain) as the ruler of Avalon named Lady of the Lake; Millie Brady (Mary Bennet of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies) as Catia, Vortigern’s daughter whom he killed and sacrificed; Michael McElhatton (Roose Bolton of Game of Thrones) as Jack’s Eye, Arthur’s scout on the kingdom; Nicola Wren (Indira of Lotus Eaters) as Lucy, a prostitute who raised Arthur; and former professional footballer David Beckham  made his cameo in this film as Trigger, one of the high-ranking soldiers of Camelot.

Though lots of negative reviews lambasted this movie, I still appreciate this film since it depicts the life story of one of the most famous fictional kings ever named, and that’s no other than but King Arthur, wielder of Excalibur, and sworn protector of his people at Camelot. I don’t find it poorly filmed but it indeed promotes literacy since it’s still a part of world literature, only that stories has been made into revisions. I can still give 4 stars for this film and 2 thumbs up. Still not bad Guy Ritchie. Good job!