A couple of weeks ago, Clif and I went to see a movie called The Kid Who Would Be King, a modern retelling of the King Arthur tale. We had seen the trailer, and being either young at heart or in a state of arrested development—take your pick—we could tell right away that we would like this movie.
And we were right. Although the delightful The Kid Who Would Be King is aimed at a young audience, it is also a crossover movie that adults will enjoy.
Here is a short synopsis. In modern-day England, life is going to heck in a handbasket, and there is the clever use of newspaper headlines to illustrate this. (Brexit, anyone? ) What England needs is a hero to help restore some semblance of order and defeat the dark forces led by King Arthur’s sister Morgana, imprisoned underground and itching to get out.
Enter shining-faced Alex (Louis Ashbourne Serkis, son of the great Andy Serkis). Alex is the modern-day Arthur, living with his single mother, bullied by older kids, and the defender of his best friend, who is also bullied. When Alex finds an embedded sword in a construction site, he, of course, easily removes it. Merlin is summoned, and the adventure begins. Alex must assemble a team and face his own sorrows before he can confront the wicked Morgana.
The movie goes at a cracking pace. The children are terrific, the special effects are great, and the adult actors did a pretty good job, too. Elder Merlin is played by Patrick Stewart, which seems only fitting. After all, Ian McKellen has played Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings movies. Younger Merlin is played by Angus Imrie, who did a fantastic job portraying the otherworldly Merlin. Imrie is someone to watch for in future movies.
By now readers might be wondering how this movie ties in with the world of blogging. It just so happens that Joe Cornish, the writer/director of The Kid Who Would Be King (and also the wonderful Attack the Block) has a direct connection with Tootlepedal, one of my blogging friends. Cornish is the partner of Tootlepedal’s daughter.
Did Tootlepedal and his wife get to go to London for a special screening of The Kid Who Would be King? You bet they did, and Tootlepedal chronicles this event in his post King Size Entertainment. Oh, the excitement!
I know. Clif and I are movie nerds along with being many other kinds of nerds. So it was a real treat for us to discover this connection between Tootlepedal and Joe Cornish, whom we have long admired.
A cool winter’s tale, wouldn’t you say?
Notes From the Hinterland 
Glad you enjoyed the film so much. I have to wait for a week before I can go and see it here.
Love connections like that. Thanks for your review. i’m sure I will be hearing a lot about this film from the little ones.
A wonderful Winter’s tale dear Laurie and such a lovely connection 🙂💖 xxx
Thank you for the link. It is wonderful to think that mere electrons can form such curious connections.
What a neat connection. It is wonderful how blogging can bridge distances.
Oh, dear, ‘It’s a Small World’ just popped into my head! The worst kind of ear worm! 😉
I’ve been getting behind, and have just been puzzling over who “Joe” was in Tootlepedal’s blog. This explains it. I remember him from the Adam and Joe Show. I also looked Angus Imrie up to confirm he is the son of Celia Imrie. Looks like we have some new acting dynasties starting up. 🙂
I’d like to see this movie. Sounds like a winner.
My wife and I saw a good one tonight: Vice. It’s about Dick Cheney.
That sounds like a great movie, especially Patrick Stewart as Merlin!
He was wonderful, but then again, he’s always wonderful.
What a great connection! I’ll look out for the movie..
I noticed a previous comment about the movie Vice, we went to see that last week….VERY good, if depressing.
J > Great, another solution for Brexit for MPs to vote on!
Cool indeed, Laurie. Looks like one to see. I. too, follow Tootlepedal – always good value
I think it might be time for “the once and future king” to come back and save England again! The movie sounds like a lot of fun and your “small world” connection is neat.
Great post, Laurie. I had to check out Tootlepedal’s blog. I have seen him commenting on Derrick’s blog, so I knew who he was. Now the “Pedal” makes sense. Fun that someone you admire is related to someone else you know and you never knew it. Good ole’ blogging.
That’s for sure! I know you would enjoy Tootlepedal’s blog.
A very cool winter’s tale!!! Thanks for the great review and another movie to add to the watchlist.
Really fun!
Very cool. I’m a fan of Patrick Stewart.
He is terrific! Saw him and Ian McKellen in “Waiting for Godot” in New York. What a team!
That was the universe sending you a treat. I love Beckett and love NY too!
Yes, yes!
Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are two of my favorite actors!
Me, too! Love ’em!
I love these serendipitous connections, too!
So wonderful!