The biggest drawcard of 'Merlin' is seeing Sam Neill, Rutger Hauer, Miranda Richardson, Helena Bonham Carter, Martin Short, and even a young Lena Headey, all taking part in this single, lengthy Arthurian TV fantasy.
The biggest deterrant is the running time (3hrs), and a very mixed bag of 1990s TV-level CGI. Think 1990s video game cut-scenes, and you'll get the idea.
Sam Neill lends Merlin his charismatic smirk, while witchy nemesis Mab (Richardson) is a devious puppeteer of Kings, fretting over her waning influence. The two embark on a lifetime trying to engineer the rule of Britain.
Mildly diverting throughout, some of the quirky performances occasionally elevate this familiar material. And unlike some reviewers, I got the impression the cast were likely enjoying themselves, but who knows.
There's nothing especially bad about 'Merlin', and there are even one or two laughs. But it hardly raises a pulse, either.
A minor shame then that the sometimes acceptable, but mostly baffling CGI and some juvenile editing (such as fast-forward effects to make characters appear to move fast) distract from a plodding, but amiable story.
When viewed against the practical effects-driven fantasy films of the 1980s, 'Merlin' hasn't aged well. But this is still worth a look for fantasy film completists.
The biggest deterrant is the running time (3hrs), and a very mixed bag of 1990s TV-level CGI. Think 1990s video game cut-scenes, and you'll get the idea.
Sam Neill lends Merlin his charismatic smirk, while witchy nemesis Mab (Richardson) is a devious puppeteer of Kings, fretting over her waning influence. The two embark on a lifetime trying to engineer the rule of Britain.
Mildly diverting throughout, some of the quirky performances occasionally elevate this familiar material. And unlike some reviewers, I got the impression the cast were likely enjoying themselves, but who knows.
There's nothing especially bad about 'Merlin', and there are even one or two laughs. But it hardly raises a pulse, either.
A minor shame then that the sometimes acceptable, but mostly baffling CGI and some juvenile editing (such as fast-forward effects to make characters appear to move fast) distract from a plodding, but amiable story.
When viewed against the practical effects-driven fantasy films of the 1980s, 'Merlin' hasn't aged well. But this is still worth a look for fantasy film completists.