KING ARTHUR

The Arthurian Legend.

Jerry Bruckheimer is a name that has become synonymous with the summer blockbuster. Each year, the producer has at least one film ready to storm thousands of theaters across the nation. Many are entertaining, but only a few are memorable after the wreckage of explosions, car chases and gunfire has settled.

Last year In Pirates of the Caribbean, Bruckheimer achieved the rare feat of a summer blockbuster that was not only a phenomenal success, but also loved by fans and critics. But before the long-running success of Pirates, Bruckheimer was already in production on another historical epic, King Arthur.

Traditionally, Arthurian legend takes place in the Middle Ages and is replete with gleaming suits of armor, wizards, and tangled webs of lust and betrayal. This movie tries to "keep things real" by stripping away all of that. Set in 452 AD, Arthur (Clive Owen) is a conscript in the army of the Holy Roman Empire.

He has been in service for fifteen years, assigned to protect a Roman outpost at Hadrian's Wall from the threat of Woad barbarians (led by Merlin). He is joined by Lancelot (Ioan Gruffudd), Gawain (Joel Edgerton), Galahad (Hugh Dancy), Bors (Ray Winstone) and others.

Many theories exist on the legend of Arthur. This story was to paint Arthur as a Roman and commander of a gang of knights which has had more than their share of bloody battles. Among this group of knights is one of the greatest of all, Lancelot.

After what they think is their final mission, the group is "convinced" to take on one last assignment, which may also be their most deadly. They are to travel forth into Wode country through enemy territory, ahead of the enemy Saxons, to rescue a Roman nobleman named Marius and his family.

During the rescue, the group also sets some British women and children free, of which the beautiful Guinevere (the irresistible Keira Knightley's) is a part. As the story moves along, a triangle develops between Guinevere, Arthur and Lancelot. Ultimately, they must all unite with the band of knights to setup an ultimate stand-off which will decide Britain's fate against the vicious Saxon forces lead by Cerdic (Stellan Skarsgard), a cold and remorseless villain.

The costumes and set pieces appear very authentic. Guinevere ‘s gang of Wodes apparently would have, in reality, actually battled in the nude, but rest assured, she and the rest of the gang are still dressed very skimpily as they go into battle. They are also adorned in blue battle paint and, if possible, Knightley looks only more striking in blue. The ensemble cast is strong, even if some characters are a bit hard to tell apart.

While Arthur does have a sword called Excalibur and the knights do sit at a round table, that's where the parallels end. If you're a nut for historical accuracy, you may find the anachronisms to be annoying. There's a mixture of events and technology from the Dark Ages, Middle Ages, and Bronze Age.

The acting is fine, for the most part. Owen's Arthur is passionate, at least. He's the only one who seems to have a purpose in the film. Skarsgard is fun as the evil leader of the Saxons. Winstone is perhaps the brightest spot as Bors, the tough-but-loveable knight.

Battle sequences are exciting but nothing we haven’t see before, it looks like they throw in Brave Heart, Gladiator, Lord of the rings and a even a bit of the last Samurai to produced these fights.

As for the music, it played its part in setting the mood. But when comparing to other major epic scores it just doesn’t hold up. Please note, I am not a serious classical music lover, but I do enjoy good classical music.

Although King Arthur has numerous flaws, I do not wish to criticize or condemn the film. If you just want to have a good time in the cinema, than King Arthur is a movie that will not disappoint you. My friends and I really enjoyed it.

King Arthur is, on the whole, a fun film. The sword and archery work as well as the battles are very well done and entertaining to watch. There is a certain battle on ice which is especially breathtaking and visually stunning. It amazing what CG can do these days.

Overall it was an enjoyable film (pronounced with a strong Indian accent) but it falls short on its own epic weight.

I hope you enjoy reading my short Arthurian review.

So till my next post ya, its bye from Ganz.

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