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The Kid Who Would Be King
2019 120 min United Kingdom PG 12+
★6.6
Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Family
Director: Joe Cornish
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
Old-school magic meets the modern world when young Alex stumbles upon the mythical sword Excalibur. He soon unites his friends and enemies, and they become knights who join forces with the legendary wizard Merlin. Together, they must save mankind from the wicked enchantress Morgana and her army of supernatural warriors.
Budget:
$59M
US Gross:
$16.79M
Worldwide:
$32.14M
Starring
Louis Ashbourne Serkis
Actor
Denise Gough
Actor
Dean Chaumoo
Actor
Awards
3 wins & 3 nominations total
Key opinion
The Kid Who Would Be King is generally regarded as a lightweight, formulaic children's fantasy that updates Arthurian legend for a modern school setting. While critics often dismiss the film for its predictable screenplay and clichéd dialogue, many viewers appreciate its earnest moral messaging and standout performance by Angus Imrie.
| Acting | Angus Imrie provides a standout, eccentric, and compelling performance as Merlin that serves as the film's strongest highlight. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay relies on a tired, rigid 'chosen-one' formula with forced, pompous dialogue that many find derivative and uninspired. | |
| Originality | The film features a simple, predictable narrative structure that some find engaging for younger audiences, while others perceive it as shallow and boring for older viewers. | |
| Acting | Opinions on the cast are polarized; while the ensemble is praised for its diversity and charm by some, others feel the lead protagonist is miscast and the characters are largely underdeveloped. | |
| Production | Production values are inconsistent, with some viewers praising the energetic action sequences while others criticize the CGI as low-budget and the settings as unconvincing. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing divides opinion: some critics find it a constant, dynamic flow, while others argue the runtime is unnecessary and drags through predictable beats. |