King Arthur: Legend of the Sword(2017)

Director: Guy Ritchie

Cast:

Charlie Hunnam – Arthur

Jude Law – Vortigern

Astrid Berges-Frisbey – The Mage

Djimon Hounsou – Bedivere

Eric Bana – Uther

Aidan Gillen – Goosefat Bill

Verdict:

“King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” is the newest feature to come from director Guy Ritchie. In this Arthurian tale, we find that Arthur (Hunnam) who was raised in a brothel has discovered that he comes from royalty and is the rightful heir to the throne. This is revealed to him when he lifts the sword from stone “Excalibur.” Once revealed to Arthur he must take down his Uncle Vortigern (Law) and reclaim his rightful place of king. Guy Ritchie has his handprints all over this film from the way he shoots his action to the quippy humor spread throughout. The movie is influenced heavily by the “Lord of the Rings” franchise. This is showcased by its incredible opening scene where there are giant war elephants and sorcerer’s conjuring up spells. The performances in the film were stellar with praise going to Hunnam for his portrayal of Arthur and Jude Law as the villainous Vortigern. Charlie Hunnam’s take on Arthur was unique and well presented. He delivered quippy lines to a tee and really brought the emotion and physicality home. Jude Law was fantastic as Vortigern as he delivered his lines that could come off as ridiculous in a fierce manner. The supporting cast was great as there chemistry with one another had a band of brothers feel. The CGI and visual effects in the film were well done. The film has its issue and the biggest thing for me was there were scenes that could have been played out that were montaged through. As I’ve said before, Ritchie brings his style of action to this film and his utilization of slow-motion action flowed well with the movie. I really enjoyed the street level feel to the fighting. The score by Daniel Pemberton really amped the film and brought out the tenacity in our characters. The use of magic in this Arthurian tale is a neat take and suits Guy Ritchie’s style. “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” is an entertaining fantasy film that benefits from Guy Ritchie’s style.

Grade: B

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them(2016)

Director: David Yates

Cast:

Eddie Redmayne – Newt Scamander

Ezra Miller – Credence

Katherine Waterston – Porpentina Goldstein

Colin Farrell – Percival Graves

Dan Fogler – Jacob Kowalski

Alison Sudol – Queenie Goldstein

Verdict:

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is directed by David Yates and takes place in

the Potter Universe, but 60 years earlier and in New York. This film follows a British

wizard by the name of Newt Scamander (Redmayne) and he becomes involved with the

wizarding world of New York due to his briefcase containing many magical beasts. When I

sat down in the theater, I was excited to see another entry in the Harry Potter universe. I

walked out thinking that the movie was just fine. The acting in the film was good for the

most part. Katherine Waterston plays a former Ministry of Magic employee that becomes

tangled in Newt’s endeavors. The chemistry between the two was gone and forgotten. On

the other hand, Fogler and Sudol’s characters chemistry was so sweet and adorable. The

two of them glowed on screen. Colin Farrell is also in the film and he plays this powerful

Ministry wizard who is involved with a dark force that has been ravaging the streets of

New York. Ezra Miller also is in the film and he is this lonely church boy that was one of

the highlights of the film. As I’ve said, the film is fine but the creatures were colorful and

fun to watch on screen. The CGI in the film felt weak and was very noticeable. Another

thing that bothered me was the flat story but it was the third act reveal that made it

clearer and sufficient. “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is a colorful and

dazzling film that rejuvenates the wizarding world of Harry Potter even if its story was flat.

Grade: B

The Huntsman: Winter’s War(2016)

Director: Cedric Nicolas-Troyan

Cast:

Chris Hemsworth – The Huntsman

Charlize Theron – Ravenna

Jessica Chastain – Sara

Emily Blunt – Freya

Nick Frost – Nion

Verdict:

The Huntsman: Winter’s War is directed by Cedric Nicolas-Troyan and is a part

prequel/sequel to Snow White & the Huntsman. The movie starts by showing you the

relationship between the Huntsman and Sara. This lasts for 15 minutes and then proceeds

to the events after the first film and then we have our movie. Chris Hemsworth was

awesome again as the Huntsman and this time he has more humor in the film. Jessica

Chastain plays Sara, the Huntsman’s wife and she was fine in her role as she had good

chemistry with Hemsworth. Emily Blunt plays Freya, Ravenna’s sister who after

witnessing a shocking event, she then develops ice powers. Charlize Theron returns as

Ravenna and she was very over the top. The film seems very Game of Thrones inspired

and as nice as it looked, there really isn’t much substance to the film. The scenes with the

Huntsman and the dwarves were some of the best in the film and that’s really it. The

Huntsman: Winter’s War is a very forgettable film with some good acting and gorgeous

visuals.

Grade: C-

Snow White & the Huntsman(2012)

Director: Rupert Sanders

Cast:

Kristen Stewart – Snow White

Charlize Theron – Ravenna

Chris Hemsworth – The Huntsman

Sam Claflin – William

Ian McShane – Beef

Verdict:

Snow White & the Huntsman is directed by Rupert Sanders and stars Kristen Stewart and

Chris Hemsworth in the title roles. In this adaptation, Ravenna (Theron) has killed Snow

White’s father and has held her prisoner until one day she escapes. Ravenna then insists

on the help of the Huntsman to find her for her and then we have our movie. Kristen

Stewart in the film was watchable as she wasn’t terrible in her role. Charlize Theron was

good as Ravenna as she is very despicable, but you understand why. Chris Hemsworth was

amazing as the Huntsman. You really feel for his character as he has nothing else to lose

for he is a broken man that has lost something and this makes for intrigue into his past.

Some negatives, the film was a bit slow in the pacing, a horse just so happened to appear

in one scene and when Snow White becomes somewhat reborn, we are supposed to believe

that she is a badass warrior now. Other than that, everything else was good from the

acting to the spectacular visuals and cinematography. I will say, one transformation was

so horrible, it looked as if it came from the Van Helsing film. Snow White & the

Huntsman is an intriguing film with good acting, great visuals and fantastic

cinematography that makes for an enjoyable film.

Grade: B+