A classic tale retold in modern times. A shtick we've all seen before in many movies. Though, not a lot can say that they are up to the standards of The Kid Who Would Be King. This film takes the story of King Arthur and flips it. Using the basis narrative to be the forefront of a very meaningful parable.

Yes, this is a good King Arthur movie. It sells itself to be an action movie for kids, but it isn't. It's better than that. It's a family drama with a mystical element thrown in. With commentary that holds true to the characters and even audience watching. Forming to be a journey of lessons that relate directly to family struggles and world views. It was powerful with the aid of visual effects that gracefully captured action and stylised story-telling.

Alex, our main protagonist was acted wonderfully by Andy Serkis' kid, Luis. Showing off lovely emotion when needed and giving a realistic sense of childlike wonder and confusion in sensible ways. All the other cast did have issues though. Not really caring for Tom Taylor's character and neither for Rhianna Dorris'. Feeling too rushed into the story was also a let down with these two. But Angus Imrie did a wonderful job at his portrayal of Merlin. I actually liked him so much that when Patrick Stuart came in, I didn't even give it a second thought as to who I want back more. They both stuck the landing in likeability. But that magic hand movement was maybe a bit too wacky? I don't know how I feel about it, to be honest.

Now the villain is more a metaphor here that didn't need to be shown off a lot. But alas, we got to see them and what a bad casting choice it was for Rebecca Ferguson. She wasn't menacing enough and didn't pose a big enough threat. She would have been better being shielded within shadows for the whole movie. Because what she represents was much better than her reveal. Though, we did get some nice looking action scenes from it. But more questions as well, involving the safety of some people in the last act.

The Kid Who Would Be King is a fantastic family movie. Having a tremendous moral lining that kids should take with them. A bit forceful at times when it came to the delivery. It still gripped me with its visuals. The fight scenes at night were gorgeous and satisfied me for action. I am impressed with how much love and effort was put into this instead of leaving it to be another generic classic retelling of a story for kids. There was care here, and it shows greatly. A true and welcoming surprise.

**8.2/10**

Convinced that I would roll my eyes a lot with this movie, I did. But then it did something wonderful and captured me in the way that The Goonies, Hook, and all those other classics did. It teaches without being too overpowerful, it situates itself within this time (make quite a few nods to Brexit England) and it is filled with hope when there's a world where it seems that there's not a lot of it left. It's clear what Cornish wants to achieve here and I do feel like he did. He wants to fill youth with adventure, goals and hope while reminding those that had forgotten that not all is lost just yet.

It's not perfect by any means, but it is charming, heartwarming and decently acted. It just looks like it was a whole lot of fun to make and I had a whole lot of fun watching it.

I really just wonder how the hell they explained the remains of the battlefield at the school to the teachers... Or did Merlin just hypnotise them to clean it all up and forget all about it. But what about all the dents in the cars?! Oh but wait, the meek kid can multiply money now, it's all good. And shouldn't they be like all over the news if 4 kids disappear for 4 days straight? Mum didn't seem too devastated or angry about it. Ah well, it's a family-fun adventure movie, what the hell am I going on about, I enjoyed it.

Joe Cornish, an old favourite of mine from old Adam and Joe days, took time off hob-knobbing with Spielberg and Cruise to write and helm this child-friendly bash at the much-filmed legend of King Arthur. Keeping the old legendary magic from the original tale Cornish has cleverly woven in modern-day aesthetics to make an engaging and fun story.

Very much in the Children’s Film Foundation mould this film licks along at a good pace and showcases the upcoming pool of talent in the UK, although most are suspiciously related to well-known and long-time actors, (closed-shop perhaps) ably supported by the adult cast including the popping in and out Patrick Stewart who appears to be having the time of his life.

The story clearly sign-posts friendship, loyalty, bravery and empathy and in this day and age some will see this as some sort of affront but to most normal people this cannot be a bad thing.

There is no real need to mull over or recap The Kid Who Would Be King, it’s Arthur and his knights going through trials and tribulations before overcoming the odds-against-them evil with the help of Merlin the Wizard. Not difficult to understand or follow, not complicated but not bad for this.

It’s plain and simple fun mainly for the younger audience, well-acted, well-directed and a good example of how to make a modern-day child-friendly film that still is old-school enough to be recognisable. Funny in an irreverent way, with enough references for the oldies like me and others that the younger viewers would understand. It really is good entertainment.

Without a doubt, Cornish’s film is really successful at persuading us that something utterly extraordinary is happening to the very ordinary which might sound fairly basic but as we have all seen in many films before this it is a very hard trick to pull off in the cinema. The Kid Who Would Be King manages this in convincing style.

Joe Cornish now has two films on his resume as a director and a myriad of writing credits, hopefully, he we will see further films he has written and directed.

It's been 8 years since Attack The Block and Joe Cornish is back with his latest kids band together on a mission to save world movie! This time around Alex and his best friend and their bullies get caught up in the myth/real world story of King Arthur and Excalibur, with a teenage Merlin to round out the team. This should go without saying, but this is a kids' movie, but not really in the way that most kids' movies are where they wink to the grown ups in the audience. It's a throwback without the pandering to nostalgia and being set in the 80s. This is a story for kids to enjoy that has a great message that no matter how crazy adults seem to act about the doom and gloom of the world, you are the future and you can change things. So although there is a lot of good stuff and things that worked for me, the running time bogged it down and some of the performances did not work for me. That's ok! It isn't really for me and I would recommend it to all of the 8-12 year olds that run in my social circle. They accomplished all of this without one Fortnite dance (that I noticed) so it should be commended for that alone!

Man, I was ready to **absolutely** rail on this movie before I realised that what I had thought was the end was just the end of the second act. Now don't get me wrong, I still very much did not enjoy _The Kid Who Would Be King_, but the actual ending did turn me around on it somewhat. Hard to know for certain if this will play well for actual kids. Maybe they'll even take the positive messages on board and not the bad ones. But I don't know that a good message or a good time will be taken away from _The Kid Who Would Be King_ by children, I doubt it, but it doesn't seem impossible.

Very disappointing after _Attack the Block_.

_Final rating:★★ - Had some things that appeal to me, but a poor finished product._