The Kid Who Would Be King
Cert PG, 120 minutes, in cinemas 15 February
Starring: Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Angus Imrie, Patrick Stewart Director: Joe Cornish
THE PLOT Nerdy year 7s Alex (Ashbourne Serkis) and Bedders are at the bottom of the heap at school. Then, Alex pulls a sword out of a block of concrete on a building site, and discovers he must save the world. WHAT’S RIGHT WITH IT? The King Arthur legend is enjoyably transposed to a modern-day English setting, and Angus Imrie shines as a very funny Merlin, who guides Alex and co through their mission. WHAT’S WRONG WITH IT? The Cgi-heavy action sequences – as the kids face off against an undead army on horseback – are not so special.
VERDICT Attack The Block director Cornish (who also co-wrote Marvel’s Ant-man) nicely expands his range with a younger-skewing family adventure. HHHH Charles Gant