Arthur gets a wonderful visual analogue for his hero’s journey through Excalibur. The political power he rejects is reflected in the extreme physical power the sword grants, and his relationship to his own ambitions is mirrored by his relationship to the sword throughout the film. Photos courtesy Warner Bros.
8/10 King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is careening toward a disastrous reception, and that’s a shame, because it’s awesome.
After betraying his brother, Uther (Eric Bana), King Vortigern (Jude Law) rules England with an iron fist. His cruel kingship is challenged when Arthur (Charlie Hunnam), a London brothel bastard, draws the sword Excalibur from its stone, a devastatingly powerful enchanted blade that only answers to the king of England. Arthur rejects the crown, wanting only to return to the slums, but is pushed by Sir Bedivere (Djimon Hounsou) to help overthrow the evil king, who’s already gone to the trouble of burning Arthur’s old home anyway.
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword weaves a strange and compelling spell. To describe the movie in one word, it’s ominous. There’s a keen sense of impending doom from the first scene onward, one that coexists with writer/director/producer Guy Ritchie’s signature light-heartedness. Though it has plenty of action, this isn’t an action movie — it’s a well-disguised thriller, designed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats through moodiness and anticipation.
