No one would blame you for rolling your eyes when learning about a new screen interpretation of the King Arthur legend. While nobody was particularly asking for a fresh translation of the Excalibur tale, Joe Cornish's decidedly more family-friendly, fantastical take is a pretty solid effort indeed. The Kid Who Would Be King is a surprisingly uncynical and sincere slice of filmmaking for all the family to enjoy.
When twelve-year-old Alex Elliot draws what is revealed to be King Arthur's sword from a stone in a nearby construction site, he awakens a wicked sorceress Morgana buried underground, who sends her minions after Excalibur. Inadvertently becoming the leader of the fight to stop Morgana from enslaving the whole of England, Alex assembles a team of friends and foes who, with the help of a student-disguised Merlin, try and prevent Morgana from returning before a solar eclipse grants her full access to her powers.
Made with plenty of heart, The King Who Would Be King is a delightful, quintessentially British adventure that tows the line between entertainment and subtext terrifically. While King Arthur may not scream 'contemporary', Cornish, on writing and directing duty, reimagines the piece for the modern era effectively, infusing texture and light political commentary smartly and subtly. Accessible for all ages, Cornish's skilled screenplay may find itself bogged down by exposition (particularly throughout the opening act as it strains to introduce the film's key players in a short space of time), but it recovers to deliver a thematically-stirring and unexpectedly profound piece that presents its ideas with conviction and feeling.
Cornish does an impressive job behind the camera too. There is both scale and intimacy to the film, with the final battle grand in its ambition but awkwardly, lovably modest in its execution: brilliantly makeshift in the same manner in which the students assemble battering rams and weapons with the resources surrounding them. It adds to the film's charm superbly. On a comparatively smaller budget, the fantasy set pieces are well-delivered; while the CGI isn't always seamless, it is more than serviceable, enriching the fantasy world that builds believably. Electric Wave Bureau's score assists with this as well: a terrific, electro-leaning composition that hits all the right emotional beats.
Performance wise, there is some impressive work across the board. Louis Ashbourne Serkis is compelling as Alex, undaunted by his leading role and convincing in his emotion; with great support from Dean Chaumoo, the pair make a terrific double act and you really believe in their friendship. Tom Taylor and Rhianna Dorris' 'foes turned friends' may be bland but the duo gives it their all, attempting to imbue depth within these one-note characters. Angus Imrie is a certified scene-stealer and will go on to do brilliant things; Patrick Stewart, in what amounts to an extended cameo, is reliably solid as the younger - yes, younger - version of the character. Rebecca Ferguson goes to town here, with an indulgent performance that could be entirely unfulfilling in less capable hands; it works because she commits to it fabulously.
If there's a downfall to The Kid Who Would Be King, it's that it feels like it should be in competition for the longest film ever made, despite clocking in at a shade under two hours. That's not so much a criticism as it is an observation, but the film certainly faces some issues with its pacing. Whether it's the clunkier start or the difficulty it faces in transitioning from the second act to the finale, a trim would no doubt enhance it further. Packed with a number of laughs though, it does keep your attention - even as the runtime becomes more frustrating.
It's rough around the edges but there's so much to like in The Kid Who Would Be King. It was probably summed up best by a friend who described it as a "kid's film made by people who give a damn". That perfectly captures the film's, and most specifically Joe Cornish's, spirit: heartfelt filmmaking with a relevant message that never overwhelms, bubbling away quietly but confidently under the entertaining surface instead. It's an endearing joy at every turn and while the world was hardly calling out for a new King Arthur, this is my favourite interpretation yet.
7/10
Summary: The Kid Who Would Be King's contemporary reimagining of the King Arthur story courtesy of writer-director Joe Cornish is a charming, enjoyable effort that, while rough around the edges, is held up by strong cast performances, a witty screenplay and a great deal of heart.