Watch & Remark: King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

Despite what other critics may say, I really enjoyed this movie. The King Arthur myth is prolific and has been done many, many times, but this take was unique and mythical in a gorgeous way. However, if you're scared of large snakes, this probably isn't the movie for you. This movie is full of action,sword-fights, and just enough death to make it interesting but not depressing (minor spoiler alert for character death).

Image Source: IMDb.com

The soundtrack was full of bass and perfectly coordinated, and the actors were also amazing. Charlie Hunnam is brilliant, and I have to say that I think he was perfect for this role. He's the most Arthur-like actor I can think of. My theater had the volume a bit loud, so my friend and I could feel the bass of his voice through out seats. It was awesome, but a little overboard for what was already a bass-heavy soundtrack. However, I am 100% sure that this soundtrack will now be my "focus" playlist.

The most remarkable part was the very interesting take on magic. You don't usually see the most impressive piece of a mage's power as their ability to see through, influence, and control animals, but this movie made that the highlight of magical abilities, and it fits into a key part of the narrative of the universe. At the very beginning we see how mages can create destructive elephants from the earth of the Bad Lands itself, and make these animals kill innumerable men. We also see the Mage, supposedly sent by Merlin, enact the ultimate ploy to return Arthur to his sword and his rightful place on the throne.

I appreciated the fact that Arthur was not so much a ladies-man in this movie--instead of "the ladies love me, and I love them" it was more "the ladies may love me, but I have shit to do." However, the women in the film are still tastefully done. Even the girls who work the brothel are respected and never overly-sexualized. It's interesting that we never learn the Mage's name, but I think it adds another layer, and the possibility of a sequel that includes Merlin.

Normally, Merlin features heavily in remakes of the legend, while Uther Pendragon fields less of a role. This movie reverses that trope and kills Uther off early, putting Arthur in control of his own fate, guided only by what he can remember of that faithful night.

Overall, this movie is an extremely gritty take on the traditional legend. It was bloody, sad, and in the end, Arthur reigns victorious over England, standing up to create his own round tale and knights, and already proving he can stand against outside threats. It makes the effort to make the legend realistic and mythic at the same time, drawing heavily on the bonds of family and friends, money, and a sword that holds the fate of a kingdom in its blade.

Enjoy the awesome action sequences, the trippy camera angles, great visual effects, and an enthusiastically mythic take on the Arthurian tradition. And keep an eye out for the Lady of the Lake.