Summary
Joe Cornish’s sophomore directorial effort is a timely and fun foray into myths, legends, and modern British politics while still maintaining a youthful throwback quality.
The Arthurian legend just lends itself to remixing. Indeed, the modern version that forms the basis of our stories comes from Sir Thomas Malory’s romanticised Le Morte d’Arthur in the 15th century – some 500 years after the first datable mention of King Arthur. From musicals to motorbikes, there’s few cultural touchstones that haven’t been influenced by the once and future king.
Writer/director Joe Cornish, who served up the brilliant Attack the Block back in 2011, brings the myth the contemporary Britain with a primarily pre-teen set of characters. It’s the kind of high-concept adventure that dominated the box office in the 1980s: bullied kid Alex (Louis Ashbourne Serkis) suddenly has his life flipped and turned upsidedown when he pulls Excalibur from a concrete block at a building site.
Cornish’s script is a refreshing change of pace from overcomplicated exposition. Alex is the inheritor of the sword, he finds the sword without much preamble, he goes on a quest to stop the evil Morgan Le Fey (Rebecca Ferguson), who threatens to chew all of the Earth’s scenery apparently. Yet that same matter-of-factness keeps the film on rails, at at 120 minutes it’s a little sluggish in the middle.
In the wrong hands, the film would be interpreted as a return to British national values. After all, these kids answer the call by doing a spot of National Service, wot wot. Released in the midst of a failed vote on Brexit, Cornish is unapologetic in his politics but it’s an anti-Brexit message he’s delivering, preaching unity and and a call for fresh values at every turn.
Case in point is the ragtag group Alex surrounds himself with. Best friend Bedders (Dean Chaumoo), and bullies Lance (The Dark Tower‘s Tom Taylor) and Kaye (Rhianna Doris) must ultimately learn to put aside their differences if the country is to survive. It’s a wonderfully charming lesson for younger audiences, capably delivered by Merlin (played respectively by Angus Imrie and Patrick Stewart). Sir Pat’s wig work is exceptional by the way.
As the film eventually gets around to its schoolyard battlefield conclusion, in the form of the obligatory CG slugfest, Cornish again reminds us that “A land is only as good as it’s leaders.” It may not be subtle, but it’s a timely message for a younger generation, and one that has a bit of fun in the delivery.
2019 | UK| DIR: Joe Cornish | WRITERS: Joe Cornish| CAST: Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Tom Taylor, Rebecca Ferguson, Patrick Stewart | RUNNING TIME: 120 minutes | DISTRIBUTOR: 20 Century Fox (AUS) | RELEASE DATE: 17 January 2019 (AUS)
