THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING
UK, 2018, 120 minutes, Colour.
Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Dean Chaumoo, Angus Imrie, Tom Taylor, Rhianna Dorris, Rebecca Ferguson, Patrick Stewart.
Directed by Joe Cornish.
Once upon a time, there was a king called Arthur, who created unity in his kingdom with his Knights of the Round Table and whose famous sword, Excalibur, was caught in a vast rock, and it could be drawn out solely by an authentic descendant of Arthur. (All this is illustrated quite vividly with colour animation at the opening of this story.)
Now, in the present, what starts out to be a very different story indeed – but which will end up with the Arthurian Legend in the present and appearances by both Morgana and Merlin. Clearly a contemporary fantasy – focusing on two young boys, a film for boys their age as well is a touch younger and attach older (even to fathers). There are some girls in the story but this is mainly a Boy’s Own Adventure!
Alex is at school (Louis Ashbourne Serkis, son of Lorraine Ashbourne and Andy Serkis), living at home with his mother, memories of his father who had given him a book of those ancient tales when he was little. However, not everything is going so well at school. He and his best friend, Bedders (Dean Chaumoo) are picked on every day, eventually Alex retaliating with some punches and a call before the school principal. Alex, not even a hero in his own life!
But, one day he and Bedders are being pursued in an abandoned building and they fall over the open space, landing near a rock in which, you might guess, is Excalibur. And, Alex is able to draw it out. The boys think it couldn’t be what it is – but, it is. And, who should turn up at the school but an extremely nerdish student, Merlin, who puts Alex on the equivalent of a regal pedestal.
The trouble is that in drawing the sword out of the stone, Alex has unleashed the witch of Arthurian times, Morgana (Rebecca Ferguson) an evil woman, serpentine, vowing vengeance now that she has been liberated. On the other hand, the young Merlin disappears and the old Merlin (in the form of Patrick Stewart) pops up every now and again.
As you might expect, the Legend of Arthur lives again, especially in the warrior school children, helped by the magic of Merlin with helmets and warrior arms – and, thank goodness, the two bullies, well-converted and becoming heroes beside Alex and Betters.
Not sure about the title and whether Alex really wanted to be King – but, given the circumstances and the school, he does quite a good job, heroic.
1. The title, the overtones?
2. The Arthurian Legend, the initial summary, the vivid animation? The information about ancient Britain, the kingdoms, Uther Pendragon, the rise of Arthur, unity, Knights of the Round Table, the enmity of Morgana, the sword in the stone, the future king?
3. A film for young boys, older boys, adults? Memories of King Arthur? And the parallels in the contemporary world?
4. Introducing Alex, his being bullied at school, his friendship with Bedders, both being bullied? Alex and the support of his mother? The book about King Arthur, memories of his father? His father from Cornwall and the traditions of Arthur’s origins?
5. The two bullies, ethnic backgrounds, the pursuit of the boys? The boys and the empty building, the threats, the fall? Seeing the sword? Alex able to pull it out? The discussions about Arthur and Excalibur?
6. The background of Morgana, diabolical, her being visualised in a monstrous way, her wanting to control, the conflict with Arthur, Patrick Stewart as Merlin?
7. The move into the world of the myths? The power of Excalibur? Its effects? The effect on the two bullies, their change of heart, becoming friends and support?
8. Merlin and his giving powers to the boys, the school, the children joining in? The emphasis on the modern British school, classes, teachers? Bedders and his powers, reproducing metal, the armour and helmets for the children?
9. Young Merlin, his arrival, nerdish, in class, his respect for Alex? His being bullied? His abilities, crossing his arms and gestures? The transformation?
10. The range of battles, strategies, entities, Morgana’s tactics, Merlin and his appearances, older?
11. The effect on the boys, Alex and his having to become a hero, deeds, rescues, confrontations?
12. The boy’s own adventure, twelves and unders, heroes, battles, confrontation, battles with evil, triumphant?
