'The Kid Who Would Be King' A Review

The Kid Who Would Be King is a family fantasy movie, a retelling of the Arthurian legend on the context of the modern day. The movie opens on an animated sequence summarizing the story of King Arthur then a cut to modern day detailing the numerous very real political and social turmoil the world is in. It then introduces Alex(Louis Ashbourne Serkis) a normal middle class kid trying to adjust to his burgeoning adolescence. Before school he saves his best friend Bedders(Dean Chaumoo) from school bullies Lance(Tom Taylor) and Kaye(Rhianna Doris) but is chased by them after detention. He hides in a construction site and discovers and withdraws Excalibur from a concrete block. With the once and future king now chosen by the sword old advisory Morgana(Rebecca Ferguson) gains strength to attempt a take over and aged wizard Merlin(Angus Imrie/Patrick Stewart) emerges from the ether to aid Alex in his quest to defend the realm.

Serkis plays the grounded, idealistic, every-kid with ease and provides a stable yet light optimistic center for the film to revolve around. Chaumoo plays his sweet, earnest sidekick who provides a lot of heart and occasionally much needed comic relief. Taylor and Doris, who become Alex's knights, are both decent but aren't as fully flushed out, this doesn't detract and they still have character arcs but they are moved through with efficiency and focus. Imrie is the one who takes some real swings with some deliciously bizarre and over-the-top eccentricities he imbues into the character. Stewart, always a joy to see, only really appears to provide exposition so is a tad underutilized however in a story with kids about kids the fact the Imrie personifies the character for the majority of the run time is a good decision. Ferguson doesn't have a ton of screen time but she clearly relishes the opportunity, and we enjoy, her portrayal of the evil witch.

A great soundtrack, proficient visual effects, and beautiful locals make, if not a great film then a competent and entertaining adventure with an old school yet refreshing moral. The Arthurian legend has seen countless adaptations and remains part of pop culture consciousness and it deserves the occasional refresh. This iteration comes at a great time. In our divisive times the message of sincerity, courage, and goodness is needed more than ever. And this story which empowers kids and advocates for courtesy and humility(implicitly, rarely explicitly its still a popcorn movie) feels rare in this age of children's entertainment based on superheros, animation, and/or short attention spans.

Rent It.