THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING

Out now (Download), 24 june (DVD, Blu-ray) CERT pg / 120 mins

the legend of King Arthur gets a comprehensive (pun intended) retelling in Joe Cornish’s longawaited second film as director, as 12-year-old Alex (Louis Ashbourne Serkis) pulls sword from stone and learns that it’s not easy being the chosen one when it means missing class. As with Attack The Block, Cornish assembled an immensely talented young cast and avoids stereotyping them, finding ways to redeem bullies and empower kids who didn’t think they were up to much. there is some uneven storytelling and a few digressions before we get to the big, thrilling battle against Rebecca Ferguson’s Morgana, but the likeable heroes and Patrick Stewart/angus Imrie as Merlin give it enough heart and humour to keep it moving. It all feels like a nostalgic callback to the Children’s Workshop films of the 1970s, and while it didn’t get its due at the box office, it deserves a longer life at home.