KING ARTHUR

stars clive owen, ioan gruffudd, kiera knightley, hugh dancy
3/5

apparently this movie did pretty dismally at the cinemas, but the dvd director's cut version i think is alright. i haven't seen the theatrical release version so i've nothing to compare it to, but i'll base this review from what i've seen.

i'm not sure how closely the film follows the 'real' legend of arthur and his knights. but i guess the legend itself aint that clear either. anyways, the main story of the film portrays arthur's pre-king journey with his knights in thier numberous battles with the britains, the saxons, and the 'wolves' for the casue of freedom. after they defeat the saxons, their freedom will be granted - and after fifteen years, they have all come but one battle away from it.

but, as lancelot (gruffudd) tells arthur (owen), "only certain death awaits you."

this film was to me, kind of like a medieval, bloody, grown-up version of rob reiner's "stand by me" which is probably the main reason i liked it. the directing and editing was pretty ordinary, but the characters and the trials they faced together were well executed really well.

i don't know if this review has changed anyone's opinion of the film, but i thought it was pretty cool. and if you haven't seen it yet, i recommend it. if not for the gratuidous violence, head-lopping, and axings, then for the shit these knights go through for thier freedom.