Arthur the King

In 2015, Michael Light (Mark Wahlberg) leads a team of extreme racers. His driven stubborn decision ends their race early. His combative second Leo (Simu Liu) posts an unflattering pic. It's 3 years later and he's struggling with normal life. He decides to race one last time. He recruits veteran racer Chik (Ali Suliman) with a bad knee, Olivia (Nathalie Emmanuel), and Leo who has since become a social media influencer. Olivia is only racing for her legendary climber father who is dying from cancer. Then there is a dog.

This is very fine. It's based on a true story. It is a standard underdog sports movie. Heck, they even have a dog. It is sweet. It is sincere. There are some good adventure thrills. The zip line scene looks great on top of the thrills. Again, it has a dog. It's great.

I highly recommend watching the ESPN Sports Center documentary entitled "SC Featured: A Dog's Remarkable Journey to Find a Home" which details the true story of how Swedish adventure racer Mikael Lindnord and the dog he named Arthur came together in 2014 during an adventure race in Ecuador. That documentary was 13:54 in length and has much more emotional impact than this film which is dull in its storytelling and with one or two exceptions, emotionally flat. The film wanders off-topic (the dog) far too much, emphasizing heated and dull machismo far too much. The director also uses a hand-held cam frequently which takes me out of any film due to the shaky cam effect. Watch the documentary and observe the tears that roll down Mikael's face as he talks about saving Arthur -- there you will find the heart that this film lacks.

Wife and I loved the movie and found it to have character, heart, and a fun story. At only 90 minutes long it moves fast and will work great for families with kids. We love dogs and tend to enjoy Mark W. Films, so this is one we took earliest opportunity to watch and we left the theater thrilled Arthur met our expectations. A must see movie that we will watch again someday. Some reviews have criticized changes to details of this true story. Keep in mind this is not a technically accurate true story, instead it is "based on a true story" meaning movie takes many liberties to bring something entertaining to screen. Neither of us have read the book, so none of this mattered to us and I doubt it will matter to most viewers (my wife enjoyed movie so much she just ordered the book). If you know the details of accurate true story and accuracy matters to you, then this might be one to skip. Otherwise , it's A MUST SEE MOVIE!

3.5 out of 5 stars.

Arthur the King is a pretty fair adventure film following Michael (Mark Wahlberg) who his team go on a endurance race thats 400 mile some race that takes them across the Dominican Republic. While during the race they come across a stray dog that guides and follows them through the race.

Plot was great. It has a bit of heart with Michael bonding with the dog during the race which the dog saved one of them from falling off a cliff. While they travel through rough terrain. The story can be a bit emotional for animal lovers.

It has a great cast ensemble lead by Mark Wahlberg.

The direction could have been better which was a bit generic for a adventure movie. Its a wonderful story just the direction did not offer anything new.

Fantastic film with superb direction. The landscapes are stunning, the acting is top-notch, and Arthur steals the show! It's a must-watch; you'll both smile and shed a few tears.. The performances are incredibly authentic, making every moment feel real and impactful. Arthur's portrayal is especially memorable, bringing depth and charisma to the screen. This movie is more than entertainment; it's an experience that stays with you, sparking conversations and leaving a lasting impression.................. Don't miss out on this masterpiece that promises smiles, tears, and an array of emotions in between.!!