King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (****)

KING ARTHUR is a story that is probably closer to cliche than we might think. It's been retold so many times and with so many different methods (books, cartoons, live action...) but I would argue that maybe never has it been portrayed with so much energy as this incarnation. Directed by Guy Ritchie (the man behind the recent Sherlock Holmes movies), this is a movie that starts off running and doesn't stop to take a breath along the way.

King Arthur is notable (of course) for the sword in the stone, so justly this is how the story begins. As a child, Arthur is witness to the murder of his parents by his uncle Vortigern (Jude Law). As Arthur escapes the kingdom by boat, Vortigern assumes the throne and begins to build a new empire using his knowledge of dark magic and curses. The sword, Excalibur, later reveals itself after disappearing for so many years, and Vortigern begins a wide search for any man of proper age who can remove it. Think of it like a reverse Cinderella: if the sword fits, you'll be executed.

Right away, Ritchie's direction of this story is clearly something unique. Not only is this movie crammed with exquisite action scenes in remarkable settings, but the entire structure of the movie keeps the filmmaker one step ahead of his audience. Oftentimes a scene is cut together with future events, so that exposition of what is about to happen is coupled with the actual event occurring as it does. It's almost as though we get double the story in half the time. I can see editing like this becoming extremely tiring and annoying to a less-focused member of the audience, but I found it entirely thrilling.

Also thrilling is Jude Law as the King, Vortigern. He conspires with dark forces just below the castle (including a remarkably disturbing octopus/woman hybrid) who work to give him power but at a cost. Vortigern is concerned not with the morality of any given situation, rather to remain in his seat of power. Is he a worthy foe to be paired off with Arthur (Charlie Hunnam)? Maybe. Hunnam's character is your typical action star: single-minded, boring, not memorable. Jude Law makes a character that is both sneaky and sinister with ease. My only concern is a final duel between the two in which Vortigern is masked behind devil horns and a suit of armor. In the climax of the film, I would have preferred to see the face of our villain and not the body of a stunt double.

Although this is a movie that has received less than it's fair share of praise, I can only say that I found it great entertainment compared to other summer offerings so far this year. The film's score is unique, breathy, using an array of sounds and instruments to create memorable moments. The visual effects are convincing and help us believe in this world just off-center of reality. Each action scene is approached in a different style, and the camera is constantly moving back and forth and in and out until our eyes begin to spin from the excess. While it's not perfect, King Arthur is still a lot of fun.