The Kid Who Would Be King movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Kid Who Would Be King

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 2 hours

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A-

IN A NUTSHELL: Writer/director Joe Cornish presents a delightful family-friendly adventure that my four sons would have loved if this movie had been released when they were younger. Evil gets schooled. Kids rule.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Fantasy-action violence.
There are some scary demons and dragons.
Kids unfamiliar with The Sword in the Stone story will benefit from the introductory cartoon that explains the backstory.
Talk to your kids what it means to have a “hollow” heart or a “pure” heart.
The movie paints a very grim world scene with everything in commotion. Talk to your kids about world conditions and how they can learn to also see all of the good that is happening in the world today.
Bullying and name-calling
Beddars (Dean Chaumoo) talks about the popular TV show Game of Thrones: The Complete Series 1-7 (DVD) which is definitely not family-friendly. Unless you watch it with severe filters, it is absolutely not appropriate for children.
From a distance, you see a blurred backside of a naked young man.
Some profanity
Your kids will probably want to learn more about the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
Encourage your kids to learn and live the chivalric code told in this charming retelling.
Kids in perilous situations.

THEMES:

“Be brave and resolute.” – Young Merlin (Angus Imrie)
Friendship
“The path you choose must be your own.” – Young Merlin
“The most worthwhile path, my friends, is seldom the easiest.” – Young Merlin
“Use your wits.” – Young Merlin
King Arthur’s half-sister represents greed, entitlement, vengeance

THINGS I LIKED:

Louis Ashbourne Serkis plays such a likable character and is a great little actor!
Stonehenge is featured a few times in the movie. The first time I ever saw pictures of that mysterious formation of rocks in England, I knew I wanted to go there to see it for myself. I’ve actually been there twice now! What’s funny is that, even after going through their tour and visiting their museum, tourists still don’t really understand it. Turns out, it’s a transport hub. Well, according to this movie…good to know.
I adore Rebecca Ferguson and was blown away by her beauty and grace in The Greatest Showman. I loved her in Mission: Impossible – Fallout. In fact, she filmed scenes for her role in Mission: Impossible – Fallout during the week and then spent the weekend working on this movie where she plays an elegant, evil villain. I wish we could have seen more of her in this film.
Patrick Stewart! Did you know he actually starred in the movie Excalibur ?
Some really good special effects.
The exploding owl gag throughout the film was funny every time.
Lots of pop references to comic book heroes and movies. I always get a kick out of that.
There is a little bit of a The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring feel to this movie, and the characters in The Kid Who Would Be King even refer to themselves as Frodo and Sam a couple of times.
Great cinematography with details.
You get to see the lovely British countryside.
Good use of a solar eclipse in a movie. Ha ha
Fun fact: Actor Pierce Brosnan actually attended the school where much of the movie was filmed.
The title of the movie is a play on the 1975 movie The Man Who Would Be King

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

When we first meet Kaye and Lance, they’re being bullies. That makes it hard for the audience to care about them for a long time. Then again, it’s a great illustration of how King Arthur was able to join forces with his enemies.
Dean Chaumoo is certainly adorable, but it always feels like he’s saying lines as an actor.
It’s a little cheesy.

FUNNY LINES:
* “I’m supposed to stop her? That’s ridiculous. I’m twelve. I’m not even old enough to do a paper route.” – Alex (Louis Ashbourne Serkis)

“Where did you learn to drive?” – Beddars (Dean Chaumoo)

“Mario Kart” – Kaye (Rhianna Kaye)

INTERESTING LINES:

“Telling the truth and doing the right thing never makes things worse.” – Mom
“There is a wild, old soul in every child, and a foolish child in every old soul.” – Young Merlin

OTHER MOVIES LIKE THIS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

The Sword in the Stone