The quirky style of Guy Ritchie isn't one that you would think would translate well to the Arthurian setting, and as the film starts you tend to think you were right! But if you give it a chance it wears you down into acceptance and then - ultimately - a lot of enjoyment.
Jude Law is deliciously evil mixed with a heavy dose of mad, and delivers the goods. Charlie Hunnam who plays Arthur (no, I hadn't heard of him either but he was in the "Lost City of Z") does a decent job as the medieval hunk, although he seems at time to have taken voice coaching in 'Olde-English' from Russell Crowe, since the lad's Geordie accent seems to wander from Cockney through central southern England to Liverpudlian at one point (definitely channelling a young John Lennon)! Relative newcomer, the Spanish actress Astrid Bergès- Frisbey is effectively weird as the mage.
Particularly noteworthy (no pun intended) is the superb action soundtrack by Daniel Pemberton ("Steve Jobs", "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.") which propels the action really well and contains some standout moments.
Also a standout in the technical categories is the editing by James Herbert, who did both of Downey Junior's "Sherlock Holmes" films (in a similar style) and also "Edge of Tomorrow". The style is typified with Arthur's growth to manhood in the streets of London which is stylishly done.
I saw the film in 3D - not a particularly favourite format, but quite well done. Though rather in the "trying too hard" category with lots of fires and drifting embers... you know the sort.
It's not bloody Shakespeare. It's not even the bloody Arthurian legend as you know it. But it is bloody good fun.
(I added some high comedy to this review with a strong Cockney angle, but boring old IMDb said it had too many spelling mistakes!! Visit bob-the-movie-man.com to see the full review. Thanks!).
Jude Law is deliciously evil mixed with a heavy dose of mad, and delivers the goods. Charlie Hunnam who plays Arthur (no, I hadn't heard of him either but he was in the "Lost City of Z") does a decent job as the medieval hunk, although he seems at time to have taken voice coaching in 'Olde-English' from Russell Crowe, since the lad's Geordie accent seems to wander from Cockney through central southern England to Liverpudlian at one point (definitely channelling a young John Lennon)! Relative newcomer, the Spanish actress Astrid Bergès- Frisbey is effectively weird as the mage.
Particularly noteworthy (no pun intended) is the superb action soundtrack by Daniel Pemberton ("Steve Jobs", "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.") which propels the action really well and contains some standout moments.
Also a standout in the technical categories is the editing by James Herbert, who did both of Downey Junior's "Sherlock Holmes" films (in a similar style) and also "Edge of Tomorrow". The style is typified with Arthur's growth to manhood in the streets of London which is stylishly done.
I saw the film in 3D - not a particularly favourite format, but quite well done. Though rather in the "trying too hard" category with lots of fires and drifting embers... you know the sort.
It's not bloody Shakespeare. It's not even the bloody Arthurian legend as you know it. But it is bloody good fun.
(I added some high comedy to this review with a strong Cockney angle, but boring old IMDb said it had too many spelling mistakes!! Visit bob-the-movie-man.com to see the full review. Thanks!).