It's Watchable... "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword"

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)

Rated PG-13

Starring Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law, Djimon Hounsou, Eric Bana, Aiden Gillen,

Directed by Guy Ritchie

The Story:

Arthur (Hunnan) is a bit of a rogue, but when fate finds him next to the blade Excalibur, it turns out he is also the long lost true heir to the throne. That doesn't please Vortigern (Law) in the least, and he attempts to kill Arthur and any who stand with him.

Well, this is certainly a different take on the legend of King Arthur.

Ritchie does his best to keep the story moving forward, and surrounds the film with a talented cast who keep your interest.

There are a few mystical aspects that just seem odd as the film unfolds, but it gives Arthur the reason to rise up and be a true hero.

As 2017 was filled with at least 2 versions of the story, if you're going to watch one, make it this one.

Personally, I'd say go find Disney's The Sword in the Stone instead, but maybe that's just bias.

Or maybe, it's just that much better than most incarnations that have come since.

Possibly both.

:)

Final Grade: C

Spies Like Us..."The Man From U.N.C.L.E."

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015)

Rated PG-13

Starring Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Christian Berkel, Hugh Grant

Directed by Guy Ritchie

The Story:

The two best spies in the world, Napoleon Solo (Cavill) from America and Illya Kuryakin (Hammer) of Russia must work together at the height of the Cold War to stop a German scientist (Berkel) from making nuclear weapons for some very bad people. They enlist the aid of his daughter, Gaby (Vikander) to help them. But can these two adversaries put aside their differences long enough to save the world?

Aside from the name and concept, I've never watched a single minute of the television show that this is based on, so I cannot compare and contrast how well/how poorly it stands next to its predecessor.

I can say the following with little worry though:

1) It looks great. It captures the feel of a world of the late 50s/early 60s very well with the sets and costumes.

2) This movie is the best I've seen from both Cavill or Hammer in ages. So that's a big plus, considering how much I disliked the Man of Steel and Lone Ranger reboots.

The downside?

The movie felt a little long and a little boring.

Not quite 2 hours, but it felt every minute of it, and maybe a few more for good measure.

Bursts of greatness bogged down by stretches of boredom is not what I want from a spy movie.

Ever.

So much potential, and I'm up for a sequel if they are game and can tighten things up a bit.

Final Grade: C