King Arthur

Watched King Arthur.
 
Review:
 
Story
Although the legend of King Arthur has not been historically established as fact, this film will attempt to place King Arthur within his possible historic context, smack between the fall of the Roman Empire and the long road through the Dark Ages . The magic and fantasy of the legend is absent in this re-telling. And it's not even a personal, intimate drama. Gone is the tense love triangle between Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot. What we get in its place is drama of a far more cerebral kind -- more philosophical than emotional. What motivates Arthur and his "knights"? Longing for a home they have not seen for 15 years ... loyalty to an empire that no longer exists ... and, of all things, belief in the teachings of a heretic (Pelagius). The Rome Arthur fights is not that of the Caesars, but of the Church.
 
Cast
The performances are strong in this film, a tribute to the actor's talents as well as Fuqua's direction. Owen's King Arthur is profoundly disillusioned and disaffected after a lifetime of warfare, but his commitment to the utopian ideal continues to drive him. Gruddfield comes off as a bit too bitter at times, and seems to be yelling the entire film, but his seething hatred and rebellion against the natural order of the world comes through in his performance. I liked Knightley's warrior-princess Guinevere, and she helps the film as Arthur's muse. Skarsgard is hardly recognizable in every way as the Saxon ruler, which pretty much says it all about his work. Another actor who I am unfamiliar with, Mads Mikkelsen, turns in a quiet and subtle performance which is just as good as his top-billed co-stars.
 
Conclusion
What is supposed to be historical re-telling of a fable,has conspired to become instead just another summer blockbuster movie. The camaderie between Arthur and his knights provides the focal point and pretty much pushes the story forward. Kiera Knightley as Guinevere is given much prominence in the publicity for the movie but only appears about half way through it. Her role is a departure from the Guinevere of the tales we know and love. Kiera Knightley looks pale and fragile in most of her scenes but later proves that she can kick butt with the best of them.
 
In all a good movie to watch if you go in without pretensions or expectations.
 
Good: fight scenes, cinematography, good cast
Bad: some characters under-developed, nothing really stands out after watching the film
 
Rating: 3 paws