The Kid Who Would Be King: Film Review

Synopsis

The Kid Who Would Be King focuses on Alexander (Louis Ashbourne Serkis), a 12-year-old boy being raised by a single mother. He and his friend Bedders (Dean Chaumoo) are bullied at school by two teenagers, Lance (Tom Taylor) and Kaye (Rhianna Dorris). After detention earned by Alex starting a fight with Lance, Lance and Kaye run Alex into a building site where Alex find the legendary "sword in the stone," Excalibur. After finding Excalibur, Alex and Bedders, doubtful that the sword means anything, encounter Merlin (Patrick Stewart), disguised as a teenager named Martin (Angus Imrie).  They then realize that, like King Arthur, they must work with their enemies to defeat the evil enchantress Morgana (Rebecca Ferguson) to save Britain from being enslaved. 

Review

If you are going into this film expecting an easy-to-understand, toddler-friendly, and light romp, this is not the film for you. While it is a story that most people know (the too-common "sword in the stone" trope), the story is very dark and complex for a children's film. It's about a boy who has to save his country from being enslaved by a evil witch who can turn into a dragon, and he must do so with the help of people that he hates and hates him and a wizard disguised as a teenager who can turn into an owl and cannot survive after sunset (just reading that will make some people want to stop and take a breath).  The writing in the film is sufficient enough for children that will laugh at anything, but for anyone over the age of 13, the writing is somewhat sub-par. Most of the jokes fall flat. The visuals in the film are great, but the evil Morgana might frighten younger viewers. There is an obvious elevated level of production value and is action-packed. The acting in the film is okay. Patrick Stewart is at his second-silliest (Thanks, The Emoji Movie) and his talents are largely wasted throughout the film. The child actors did well with what they were given, and Bedders wins the award (in my book) for the most annoying sidekick in a film (Patrick from The SpongeBob Movie comes in a close second). Louis Ashbourne Serkis is the saving grace, though. He takes a minute, but he eventually comes into his own and becomes the leader that he had to be. The film delivers a good message for children of teamwork and standing up for yourself and others. Nevertheless, this is still a very enjoyable film and is a fun time, especially the second half.