Didn't actually want to dislike 'King Arthur: Excalibur Rising' and didn't watch it with the deliberate intent to. Although not novel. there was an intriguing idea here that did have potential to work. something novel in any kind of media but it was hard not to be intrigued by it. Part of me was nervous though considering the less than favourable (putting that kindly) reception.
A reception that, after seeing 'King Arthur: Excalibur Rising', is justified. Was hoping to find some kind of value, being an encouraging generally reviewer, but 'King Arthur: Excalibur Rising' really is that bad. The concept is completely wasted, brought down terribly by the amateur hour execution and that not enough is done with it.
'King Arthur: Excalibur Rising' looks bad and that's being polite. The costumes wouldn't even pass for fancy dress, even bargain bin quality clothes look better. The effects and such are shoddy. Worst of all are the utterly chaotic photography, with an overuse of annoying techniques, and editing that is enough to make one physically ill.
The script is really embarrassingly cheesy and stilted, with them constantly being mumbled making it barely coherent too. Even more incoherent is the story, which is dull and disjointed with very little idea what it wanted to be, what direction to take and who to aim it at thanks to the kitchen sink of under-explored tones and ideas. The action is far from exciting. The profanity, violence and nudity were gratuitous in quality and abused in quantity.
Found nothing interesting or endearing about any of the characters, all of which have no traits other than dull or obnoxious. The acting is wooden and passionless, lumbering even and like they didn't know what to make of their lines and characters.
Merlin comes off best, and, along with the at least listenable if instantly forgettable music score, the best thing about the film. The less said about the direction, the better.
Overall, really awful. 1/10 Bethany Cox
