King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

Writer-director Guy Ritchie reduces the wonderful Arthurian legend and the mythology of the sword known as Excalibur to brutal butchery in this indecipherable medieval muddle that unfolds like a frantic video game. Intended as an origin story, the film begins as King Uther Pendragon (Eric Bana) and his Queen are killed by the king's treacherous younger brother, Vortigern (Jude Law), who sacrificed his own wife to dark forces led by the evil sorcerer Mordred in order to seize the Crown. Tucked in a basket and sent downriver in a skiff (like Moses, one supposes), their baby is rescued by kindly prostitutes and raised in a brothel in bustling Londinium—having no idea of his Celtic heritage and birthright. But once hunky Arthur (Charlie Hunnam) pulls Excalibur from the stone—a dramatic moment sabotaged by a David Beckham cameo—his quest becomes clear. Despite the presence of loyal friends (Djimon Hounsou, Aiden Gillen, Tom Wu) and a supernatural assist from a prescient mage (Àstrid Berges-Frisbey), there are many obstacles along the way, prompting Arthur to blandly note: “I thought leading a revolution against that evil wizard would be easier.” Ritchie opts for style over substance here, relying on swashbuckling swordplay, mumbled dialogue, rock music, and loads of special effects. And there isn't even a glimpse of the essential character of Merlin, let alone Lancelot or Guinevere. Not recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include an “Arthur with Swagger” featurette on star Charlie Hunnam (10 min.). Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are the production featurettes “Sword from the Stone” (19 min.), “Building on the Past” (14 min.), “Camelot in 93 Days” (10 min.), “Parry and Bleed” (6 min.), “Legend of Excalibur” (6 min.), “Scenic Scotland” (6 min.), and “Inside the Cut: The Action” (6 min.), as well as bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a disappointing take on the Arthurian legend.] (S. Granger)