MPAA Rating: PG-13
Original Review Date: July 21, 2004
Reviewed by: Erin, Movie Muse
In a Nutshell: Not great, not bad; just another somewhat
disappointing film. (This seems to be a trend of my summer film
viewing of late.) Could definitely wait to be rented, IMO.
This is especially surprising when you consider that I usually
at least *like* Jerry Bruckheimer films.
Quick Plot: A more historical view (note I did *not* say
"accurate") of the Arthurian legend, set just as Rome prepares
to pull out of the British Isles, leaving the locals to fend for
themselves against the ruthless invading Saxons.
In Detail: This film just falls very flat, at almost every turn.
It is very heavy, quite different in that aspect from most
Bruckheimer films. It does make some attempts at humor, but
each and every attempt fails miserably. Most don't even bring a
smile. There was no spark whatsoever between Arthur and
Guinevere. Sure, he was interested in her, but it was more from
a curiosity and intellectual perspective. I did feel some of
the bond between Arthur and his knights, but I really didn't
care too much about most of them or their fates. How very sad.
They did work in some of the elements of the "classic" story in
a convincing way (where you could see perhaps how the legendary
elements came about, similar to the way Troy handled such
things), but there were very few. Quite a letdown, given all
the hype. Honestly, I think it hyped itself up to the point
that there was no saving it from a fall, but it's still not a
great movie. Rent it if you feel like seeing it, or catch it at
the dollar theater. Certainly don't pay more than matinee
price.