The idea of sending Whoopi Goldberg to King Arthur's Court, through some science experiment gone wrong, sounded... silly indeed! Very stupid. But I have to admit that I found this movie surprisingly good! You recognize all the story-book characters that you learn to know and love at an early age: King Arthur, Merlin, Guinevere, Sir Lancelot... The Arthurian world is not too different from what you expect, and it is NOT made silly but treated with respect. And then, of course, funny and likable Whoopie comes in as a stirring and overwhelming contrast to all stuffy Court protocol! :-)
Two things I like especially:
1. They show something of the ordinary people's lives as well, as it probably was in this very immature England - and not just an idealized court.
2. That they manage to picture the hopeless suppressed passion and longing between Lancelot and Guinevere, in a way that adults watching will understand and thrill to, but still completely pure and innocent for the children - who will not understand the eroticism.
There is also an important and very beautiful message in all this, and I have to admit that it tore at my heart-strings and wrung a couple of tears from my eyes... something that has not happened even with allegedly great movies for a very long time! Much recommended for families with children in all ages!