When I saw a trailer for this film about a kid who in the modern age who pulls a sword from a cement block and finds he has a destiny to save England and the world it struck me as a cute but unexceptional kids flick. Then I saw it was directed by Joe Cornish, who had done the first-rate Attack the Block I figured I'd take a look.
Ultimately, it's exactly the movie the trailer suggested. It's a kids adventure movie reminiscent of a lot of other kids adventure movies. I would have given up early on if not for a very amusing, quirky performance by Angus Imrie.
It's well done but rather predictable. It's got some fun special effects and a big battle finale that's nicely done. The cast is pretty good, with little Louis Ashbourne Serkis surprisingly commanding as the chosen one.
The movie doesn't always make sense. Imrie is a teen Merlin because Merlin ages backwards, yet sometimes he suddenly becomes the old Merlin without ever offering an explanation as to why or how that would even work. The mythology is inconsistent and sloppy and often seems more designed more to make a moral point than because it makes sense in the context of the story.
I did enjoy it more often than not. There are some very solid scenes and I did consider rating this 7 stars. If a decent fantasy aimed at young people sounds appealing to you then check it out.
Ultimately, it's exactly the movie the trailer suggested. It's a kids adventure movie reminiscent of a lot of other kids adventure movies. I would have given up early on if not for a very amusing, quirky performance by Angus Imrie.
It's well done but rather predictable. It's got some fun special effects and a big battle finale that's nicely done. The cast is pretty good, with little Louis Ashbourne Serkis surprisingly commanding as the chosen one.
The movie doesn't always make sense. Imrie is a teen Merlin because Merlin ages backwards, yet sometimes he suddenly becomes the old Merlin without ever offering an explanation as to why or how that would even work. The mythology is inconsistent and sloppy and often seems more designed more to make a moral point than because it makes sense in the context of the story.
I did enjoy it more often than not. There are some very solid scenes and I did consider rating this 7 stars. If a decent fantasy aimed at young people sounds appealing to you then check it out.