Cindy Prascik's Review of The Kid Who Would Be King

Dearest Blog: Today it was off to Marquee Cinemas for the Kid Who Would Be King.Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers or--you know--one of the most-told stories of all time.

A young boy on the run from school bullies unearths a medieval sword and discovers there are bigger problems.Dear reader(s), if my first official movie of 2019 is any indication, it's going to be a great year!The Kid Who Would Be King is utterly charming.

Kicking off with a gorgeous animated sequence, the movie is beautifully filmed throughout and features lovely scenery and solid effects. The cast of kid actors is terrific, with Louis Ashbourne Serkis (yes, he's Andy's son) carrying the picture like an old pro. For what little screen time they have, the grownups are pretty great too.

Action sequences are spelled by quieter moments for near-perfect pacing, and the film has a fantastic, thoroughly English, sense of humor. The final battle does drag on a bit, leaving the picture perhaps a little long (and a little dark) for younger kids, but it's a small quibble with what is otherwise a very, very good movie. Oh...and I think the mighty Led Zeppelin would be proud to have their concert tees turn up in this film!

The Kid Who Would Be King runs 120 minutes and is rated PG for "fantasy action violence, scary images, thematic elements including some bullying, and language."The Kid Who Would Be King is a genial, totally engaging movie with a powerful and important message for young people.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, the Kid Who Would Be King gets eight.

Fangirl points: Erm...I think I may have squealed out loud when Mark Bonnar turned up...Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: ATTACK THE BLOCK

ON VIDEO
ATTACK THE BLOCK



A group of London teens find themselves in the middle of an alien invasion and fight to defend their tower block from some evil extraterrestrials in this stylish sci-fi romp from the producers of Shaun of the Dead and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Joe Cornish

Cast: John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, Franz Drameh, Luke Treadaway, Nick Frost, Jumayn Hunter

Release Date: Jul 29, 2011

Rated R for drug content, pervasive language and creature violence

Runtime: 1 hr. 28 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Art House/Foreign, Comedy

Review:

Some movies instantly bring a strong sense of energy to the screen. It permeates through the screen the instant it starts. While it doesn’t always mean it’s the best filmed or plotted story out there, it does have that palpable sense present throughout. Attack the Block is that kind of film, far from perfect but imbued with enough cinematic energy to make you over look some of the more glaring flaws. First time director Joe Cornish has an interesting style which gives his low budget alien invasion dramdy a fun sense of itself. Cornish moves the film along at a brisk pace but it never feels rushed. Some of the characters are a flimsily written but the performances from the young cast really helps make it easier to watch. Front and center is John Boyega, his performance is fascinating throughout. Believable for the better part of the film, he has a quiet strength that’s a real treat to watch. Luke Treadaway is a good fun as stoner college student along for the ride. Jodie Whittaker does solid work but fairly forgettable as the female lead. Attack the Block is kind of a modern day amalgam of 80’s type kid adventure films, mix with some 90’s street films, remixed and blended with aliens and a dose of self aware comedy.

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