Memories of quick and quirky tale won’t last
Movie
First thing’s first; neither in my younger years or as a curious adult have I ever watched the Horrible Histories TV show.
I’m not the best person, then, to tell you how this first venture into the world of feature films compares to its small-screen counterpart.
Simply judging it as a movie, Rotten Romans – to give the flick its tag line – is fun-but-forgettable family entertainment.
The plot follows teenager Atti (Sebastian Croft) as he is forced to join the Roman Army when one of his clever schemes falls foul of Emperor Nero (Craig Roberts).
Like Horrible Histories, director Dominic Brigstock makes his big screen debut, having compiled an impressive career in television on hit shows like I’m Alan Partridge and Green Wing.
He did helm one episode of the Horrible Histories TV programme, though, and cowriter Giles Pilbrow penned two episodes of the series; so the talent behind the camera are familiar with the source material.
The tone – and scatter gun approach – reminded me of 2015’s superior William Shakespeareaping Bill.
Clocking in at an hour-and-ahalf, it’s quick and breezy; and, as a result, rarely dull.
Croft – better known as Game of Thrones’ young Ned Stark – and Emilia Jones (Orla) are an endearing double act.
Some of the starry supporting ensemble – Kim Cat t rall ( Agrippina), Derek Jacobi ( Claudius) and Nick Frost (Arghus) – cut loose while others – I’m looking at you Lee Mack ( Decimus) and Craig Roberts – phone in performances that would’ve been better left on the small screen.
Also hit- and- miss are the musical numbers while a lot of the conflict scenes feel more school stage show than feature film.
Rotten Romans is a harmless, engaging distraction kids and adults can enjoy together; whether Horrible Histories fans will agree is not for me to say. As average as most of the live-action Disney reboots have been, this doesn’t even reach those standards.
Tim Burton seemed like a perfect fit to adapt the quirky tale; but it just doesn’t click at all.