Joe Cornish has made a name for himself fairly recently working on movies just as bizarre as “The Kid Who Would Be King.” From writing “Ant-Man” and the 2011 “Tintin” film, to directing the sci-fi action comedy “Attack the Block,” each of his previous works have at least a little bit of charm and whimsy. Thankfully, that charm, whimsy, and a bit of action is on full display in “The Kid Who Would Be King.”
An update of the classic King Arthur story, “King” focuses on bringing the myth’s traits into the 21st century in some really clever ways. From a reinvention of Merlin the Wizard, to the Knights of the Round Table, Cornish manages to bring the myth up to modern day, without sacrificing the magic inherent in the tale.
It also helps that his cast is just as magical as the tale they’re telling. Patrick Stewart (“X-Men,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation”) and Rebecca Ferguson (“The Greatest Showman,” “Mission Impossible: Fallout”) make up the major adult roles, but other than that, the film focuses on a pretty talented cast of child actors.
Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Tom Taylor, Angus Imrie, Dean Chaumoo and Rhianna Doris manage to impressively hold their own against the other more seasoned actors and the various CGI creatures. Imrie in particular, playing the teen version of the wizard Merlin, ends up as the film’s unquestionable standout.
While it may be clear in most of the more action heavy sequences that there isn’t a budget to rival that of the biggest Marvel or other Hollywood films, its impressive what Cornish and his crew manage to accomplish on their smaller scale. While most of the sequences go for CGI creatures, there is still an impressive number of physical sets and practical effects, leading to a sense of realism that, in addition to the film’s ample energy, helps to engross audiences even further.
“King” clearly isn’t a film trying to win an Oscar, and while it may be obvious, it’s not an issue. Rather, there’s a sense of warmth and energy present in every frame that can only be compared to the adventure films of the 80s. “King” may very well find itself standing tall as this generations “E.T.” or “The Goonies,” and it rightly deserves it.
It’s a movie that knows what it is and isn’t afraid to embrace its somewhat cheesy tone, it’s adventure story roots, or its clichés. But it also knows just how to deliver the right gag to get a well-deserved laugh or the right line to earn a well-deserved heartstring tug.
This, coupled with the themes of identity and finding a place in the world, further build upon the film’s strengths. It doesn’t shy away from how gloomy the world can sometimes feel as a kid, and how in today’s age it can feel even worse. This gloom never overpowers the film’s sense of goodwill and change, though. When Merlin makes the four heroes recite an oath of chivalry, it doesn’t feel forced. It feels pure and sincere.
“The Kid Who Would Be King” is a pleasant January surprise. Not a jaw-dropping must see experience, but instead it ends up providing more than enough energy, charm, wit, surprisingly wisdom, and well-acted action to overcome it’s cliched nature. It’s not perfect, but it has wit and whimsy as sharp as Excalibur and just as polished. 4/5