Rent The Kid Who Would Be King (2019)

A film that's very definitely for kids - The Kid Who Would Be King review by BG

Having enjoyed Joe Cornish's 'Attack the Block' and been wowed by the trailer for this movie, I decided to give 'The Kid Who Would Be King' a whirl.

The plot is pretty straightforward kid's wish-fulfilment stuff: - bullied kid discovers that he may well be the saviour of mankind, and has to unite friends and enemies to defeat a monstrous threat. It's standard stuff from the family movie playbook, but with the enticing hook that Rebecca Fergusson is the evil witch Morgana, confined beneath the earth but threatening to rise and destroy everything if left unopposed...

Unfortunately those hoping for the same levels of charisma, cheek and charm that were on display in 'Attack the Block' may be sorely disappointed. While many of those actors were able to give performances of surprising range and depth against a backdrop of genuine danger, the tone here is much less serious (think the 'Narnia' films) and the performers all give much more of a typical 'British kids from stage-school' performance; more formal, stiffer, and all coming across as a bit too plummy and upper-class despite the script's constant efforts to suggest that they're attending a slightly rough school and have hard lives. Louis Ashbourne Serkis is likeable as the lead ('Alex'), especially considering that he has to shoulder a great deal of the scenes, but unfortunately neither he nor the other kids ever quite convince, always looking like someone has just called 'ACTION!' off camera, or like they've been waiting to 'perform'. The impression isn't helped by badly written and stilted dialogue, and incredibly unconvincing violence where the bullying and fights almost always consist of someone just getting shoved over. Admittedly this is a film tailored for families and kids so you don't expect somebody to whip out the knuckle-dusters, but it's less intense and less convincing than movies made in the '80s, and that should be telling us something...

Rebecca Fergusson is almost entirely wasted as Morgana, getting barely any genuine time to menace anybody before being replaced with an occasionally-iffy special effect, while Patrick Stewart feels oddly miscast as the older Merlin.

Thankfully Angus Imrie brings a performance of such excess and absurdity as the younger Merlin (including intentionally hilarious and disastrous attempts to fit in at school) that he saves many of the scenes he's in. Similarly excellent are the special effects involving Morgana's fiery minions; burning skeletal warriors who are often on horseback and convey a sense of genuine threat.

The film also makes a very brave, original and extremely mature attempt to confront a particular trope about absent fathers, and scores a serious home-run for not veering away from it.

However, these plusses struggle in the face of hammy acting, poor dialogue, and a climax that veers between 'awesome if you're a kid' and 'cringeworthy if you're an adult'. It may be that this is one of those films that loses points if you're no longer still at school. Unfortunately it suffers greatly in comparison to 'Attack the Block', and is probably best left to an audience that's the same age as the protagonists.

Abysmal! - The Kid Who Would Be King review by DB

Don't wish to be harsh but this film was truly terrible. The script was poorly written with lots of explanation exposition, the 'acting' was non-existent and the story itself was plodding, predictable and offered no surprises at all. I couldn't recommend this in any way, shape or form.

Enjoyable romp - The Kid Who Would Be King review by Jamielou

I have to admit I knew nothing about this film before it arrived and was a bit ho-hum about watching it, but I'm glad I did. OK the story is obviously ridiculous, but the film is fun and the special effects are very well done, I'm guessing it's aimed squarely at kids (which I'm not..) and for me some things would scare me if I were early teens (or younger!). The young actors are very good, and Louis looks so much like his dad! If you have slightly elder kids they'd enjoy it and you probably would too if you like fantasy type films, give it a watch.

Firmly aimed at children - The Kid Who Would Be King review by Sandy

A film that stars children, for children. It reminds me very much of the efforts produced the Children's Film Foundation that were made up until the early 80's. The film is a rehash of Arthurian legends - Morgana Le Fay is returning to earth to wreak havok, and a bunch of children from 21st century London have to do battle to prevent her. As a children's film, there's no swearing and the sex and violence has been dialled down. It is not as bloody or violent as an episode of Dr Who.

As such, this is a film for kids who are under the age of 13. The actors are not terrible, the story is straightforward and simplistic and the special effects limited by the budget. Probably a good film to watch before reading the sword in the stone or taking the kids to visit a local castle. Children will love it, adults will find it rather pedestrian.

If you want to entertain the kids on a rainy summer afternoon, then this is what film is for - no more, no less.