Want to watch an army of middle-schoolers fight off demons just with mischievous gumption, Kevin McCallister-style traps, and medieval weaponry? The Kid Who Would Be King is the movie for you. Or a number of animes. But we’re here to talk about the movie.
Louis Ashbourne Serkis stars as Alex, a bullied 12-year old who finds and pulls King Arthur’s sword from a stone. Of course, this makes him the new King Arthur just in time to fight off a demon invasion led by Morgana. He gathers his friends around his family’s collapsible round table and together they vow to build an army to fight Morgana back. As you do, of course. Oh, and Merlin poses as a 16-year old, but is actually Patrick Stewart? Yeah, this sounds fun.
(Am I a bad person for thinking that was Ian McKellen, or have those two become such good friends that they even share a look? I prefer the latter.)
The Kid Who Would Be King looks like a really good time. No super-serious vibe to darken things, no superpowers or wizard kids, just a bunch of Mario Kart experts who get to unironically fight off a powerful enchantress. Why don’t we have more movies like this anymore? It brings back so many memories. Sit back and enjoy. You can expect good things from Joe Cornish, director of Attack the Block. This looks like pure, fun camp and I’m digging it.
The Kid Who Would Be King releases January 25, 2019.
