What would you get if Guy Ritchie directed a Game of Thrones-esque feature but toned down the gore for under-18s in the audience? Our best guess would be King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.
The two hour fantasy epic is just that — totally epic and completely fantastical. It takes a gritty approach to the age-old story of King Arthur and his magical sword that responds only to his touch — kind of like Thor and his hammer, but with more badass archery, weird fur capes and dry British humour.
Ritchie takes us through the rock ‘n’ roll version of events, with the help of composer Daniel Pemberton’s gratifyingly belligerent, take-no-prisoners soundtrack; song titles include Assassins Breathe, The Wolf & The Hanged Men and Camelot in Flames. His signature choppy, close-up shots bring alive a contemporary and aggressive retelling of the 5th/6th-century fable, but it’s primarily bloodless. (An MPAA rating of PG-13 ensures that Legend of the Sword is no Snatch or RocknRolla, perhaps positioning it as a more suitable contender for a full-fledged franchise in the future.)
Charlie Hunnam steps up to the plate as the estranged, street-smart Arthur who has no desire to find his way back to power. The English actor’s resemblance to Tom Hardy is inescapable here (Hunnam has said he’s flattered by the common comparison, but doesn’t think much of it) — particularly when he’s shirtless and pummelling the air like one would a punching bag. But even with bucketfuls of medieval machismo, there’s something gentle about his screen presence.
Playing his moral opposite — and uncle — is Jude Law, the gangly, ill-willed King Vortigen, who is ruined by his own self-serving and totalitarian inclinations. Eric Bana steps in as Vortigen’s brother, Uther Pendragon, a noble father figure who mostly lurks in the background.
But there’s more to the film than the royal trio. A mishmash of headstrong characters support Arthur on his journey of self-discovery. Astrid Berges-Frisbey, with her angular face, blackened eyes and alien expressions, makes for the perfect Mage (Arthur’s corporeal spirit guide). Katie McGrath as Vortigen’s wife, Elsa, is a fun addition for those who have seen her play Morgana in the BBC series Merlin. But Djimon Hounsou, who’s always a treat, deserved more screen time as the level-headed Bedivere (perhaps he could command a bigger role in a sequel?); David Beckham’s cameo as a grouchy knight held only slightly less weight.
Visually, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is a cold, muddy and dark affair with gorgeously executed fantasy elements — from the slimy cave-dwelling creatures who whisper perilous advice to Vortigen, to one particularly oversized reptile that disgusts and astonishes.
Narratively, it serves as an origin story — the first step towards a potential second instalment, granted that all depends on whether or not audiences decide they want to see more of Hunnam and his ragtag gang.
The film isn’t without its faults; it gets off to an admittedly shaky and confusing start, but it finds its footing soon after and stomps its way to a triumphant finish. At the crux of it lies a simple yet grave decision in the hands of Arthur: stop resisting the sword and accept his fate as a born leader, or watch a kingdom fall apart underneath a crooked ruler. Ritchie doesn’t re-invent the wheel here, but he sure as hell gives it a good spin.
Don’t miss it!
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword releases in the UAE on May 11.
