"King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" (movie critique)

KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD
movie poster

The Friday Movie Mavens and The Travelling Toe went to the local Movie Tavern to see the much hyped movie,"King Arthur: Legend of the Sword".  The group was somewhat divided as to whether they liked the movie or not. The three Movie Mavens were of the opinion that it was not that good, while The Travelling Toe found it enjoyable.  Apparently, the movie-going masses agreed with the Movie Mavens as it has not that popular at the box office and the moola is not rolling in.

Guy Ritchie

Guy Ritchie directed the movie and is also one of the produces and assisted with the screenplay  He used some of the same camera techniques in this movie that he used in the Sherlock Holmes movies that were so successful.  That time it worked, this time maybe not so much.  

There were several things that were enjoyable about the movie.  Young Arthur had a strong relationship with his friends and they played well off each other with a lot of humor in their scenes.  The movie locations were beautiful and just the right backdrop for this time period. It was full of green vegetation, craggy outcroppings and a few bogs as well.  The special effect artists created some interesting characters for the movie such as the sea witches.

One tidbit we did notice was the scene when Arthur was slogging in a mire pit trying desperately to find Excalibur. The Lady of the Lake reaches up and gives him the sword. As Arthur lifts it above his head, his clothing is filthy dirty but his teeth are bright and shiny.

The plot of the movie, courtesy of the internet, is as follows:

After the murder of his father, young Arthur's power-hungry uncle Vortigern seizes control of the crown. Robbed of his birthright, he grows up the hard way in the back alleys of the city, not knowing who he truly is. When fate leads him to pull the Excalibur sword from stone, Arthur embraces his true destiny to become a legendary fighter and leader.

CAST:

Charlie Hunnam
Arthur

Jude Law
Vortigen
brother to the King

Uther Pendragon
King 

Astrid Berges-Frisbey
The Madge

Djimon Hounsou
Sir Bedivere

The Travelling Toe awards this movie 2 pinky toes up with a tube of toothpaste for those movie closeups in the muck and mire.