The Kid Who Would Be King is fabulous fun for 7 and up

Even as a kid I loved movies.  Our kids love movies too, but they’re a different beast today. I’m not getting on my middle-aged soap box and waving my “back in my day” sign, but there are some things that I certainly preferred to the box office back then. There seemed to be many more PG rated films back then. Now a PG film is either part of a series or animated. Rare are the PG films that have action, front and center, while still speaking directly to elementary school aged kids and up. If said film keeps the attention of those middle school kids or, dare I think it, their parents also, then that’s a bonus. The Kid Who Would Be King manages to do all of those things. It’s a fabulously entertaining film that our 7 and 9 year olds loved, I really enjoyed it and my wife also loved it.

The Kid Who Would Be King very carefully knows how to pace itself so that older audiences remain engaged. The film is wholly entertaining for elementary school students. The King Arthur hook will attract some older fans and there are many other factors that will hold them throughout the film.

Alex, played by Louis Ashbourne Serkis, is a middle school kid with problems that anyone that age will understand. His best friend, Bedders, played by Dean Chaumoo is a willing accomplice to the story that Alex is about the follow. There is a stereotypical ‘where-is-my-father’ plot line that weaves through the film, but the cast, as well as the Arthurian legend gamely add more depth to this trope.

What really makes The Kid Who Would Be King something that kids and families want to see is that it is greater than the sum of its parts. The child actors in the film are great. They’re not annoying, too perfect or unrealistic. The many characteristics of kid’s social circles are all represented-and acknowledged on screen by them. They point out their flaws and readily point at the impossibility of this sword really being one belonging to the once and future king.

You will want to believe too. This is a big scale, fun, action oriented kid’s film that you wanted to see when you were 9 years old. It’s a shame that more families didn’t discover this film in theaters. The battle sequences, especially the one that takes place in the school really play out better on the big screen. Having said that, we were the coolest house on the block last week when we played the DVD for a gaggle of elementary school kids. Our 9 year old (ever the film purist), kept admonishing those who came in late not to watch any of it, lest it ruin the surprises. I kind of grinned to myself because he gets it. He appreciates the quality that went into this film, and in his slightly curt way, wanted the neighborhood kids to experience it in its entirety.

The entire cast does a great job, but Angus Imrie, who plays the young version of Merlin really stood out for us. His portrayal of a reverse-aging Merlin is magnetic and funny. He also sets up the plate for the few times that the old Merlin, played by Sir Patrick Stewart enters the screen.

The Kid Who Would Be King is great for ages 7 and up. It’s just scary enough for young kids to handle and lets older kids enjoy the ride too. We received a copy of the film for review. All thoughts are our own.