Any movie that shows the Lady of the Lake producing Excalibur from a bathtub filled with water has got to get your attention. This is one of the many different takes on the tale of King Arthur featured in the fun, entertaining The Kid Who Would Be King.

The Arthurian stories are a mix of history and legend. As such, they have lent themselves to many interpretations both in literature and in film. Joe Cornish, director of the well-done science-fiction thriller Attack the Block, does an admirable job in transplanting this movie’s version of the world of King Arthur to modern-day Britain.

In a backstory, we discover that Arthur’s half-sister Morgana (Rebecca Ferguson) fought with him for dominion over what she believed was her rightful kingdom. She lost, and was banished by Merlin to the underworld where she is imprisoned as a tree, albeit one with human features. For whatever reason, she can only return when the country is leaderless and in chaos.

Back in present-day London, we meet the young Alex (Louis Ashbourne Serkis—yes, the son of Andy Serkis) who lives with his single mother Mary (Denise Gough). It is revealed over time that his father deserted them for reasons that are not entirely clear to Alex. As Alex travels to school, we see ominous headlines of impending world troubles, foreshadowing Morgana’s re-emergence.

Alex and his friend Bedders (Dean Chaumoo) attend an academy where they are tormented by two school miscreants, Lance (Tom Taylor) and Kaye (Rhianna Doris). Alex discovers Bedders being hung upside down and eventually attacks Lance as a result. The result is that Alex ends up in the administrator’s office, but he will not tell what really provoked the fight.

In another part of England, a naked youth (Angus Imrie) emerges from Stonehenge, which turns out to be a teleportation device. Merlin ages in reverse, and this is his current incarnation.

Later as Alex is going home in the dark after detention, Lance and Kaye pursue him to a construction lot. There Alex discovers a sword in a stone, literally, and pulls it out. He, not knowing its significance, takes it home.

As he sleeps, time stands still and his mother disappears. Alex hears movements downstairs and discovers a demon knight pursuing him. He tries to use Excalibur but the knight casts it aside. Suddenly the knight disappears and time starts again and his mother re-appears.

Going by a pseudonym, Merlin enrolls at Alex’s school, where he is completely out of place in every funny way imaginable. He keeps following and staring at Alex and Bedders, who are suitably freaked out.

On another evening, Alex takes Bedders to the construction lot and explains about the sword. They read the Latin inscription, which reveals that the sword is Excalibur. Then Lance and Kaye appear. After some initial skirmishes, Alex lets Lance have Excalibur if he will allow Alex to knight him and Kaye. Immediately thereafter, three demon knights on horseback appear and the kids must run for their lives.

This is the beginning of their becoming a unit under the tutelage of Merlin. Morgana is indeed reawakening and preparing to destroy society as we know it. In an attempt to find his father, Alex travels with his three comrades and Merlin across England in search of his father, who may have the answers he needs. Eventually they, along with the help of the students at the academy, will have to battle Morgana to save mankind.

The adventures of the students are truly interesting and exciting. The preparations for battle at the academy are funny, creative, and inspiring. The visual effects of the demon knights, Morgana, and the underworld add to the wonder of the story.

The variations on the Arthur legend are thoughtfully presented. There is a book of legends given to Alex by his father that serves as a guide when they travel across England. The fact that the Lady of the Lake can produce or take Excalibur in any body of water, including a filled bathtub, anywhere in Britain is a nice touch and also explains why the story has to take place there, and not, say, in the United States.

Angus Imrie is wonderful as the young Merlin. His quirkiness and inability to completely assimilate into modern society provide many laughs. Imrie’s hand movements to cast spells are a highlight of the film. Not only are they intricate but the sound effects that accompany them add to the humor. The fact that Bedders picks up the spell to replicate metal is a charming touch. Although Merlin ages in reverse, he does occasionally manifest as a disordered version of his older self in the form of Patrick Stewart, who does a yeoman’s job with a small part.

The relationship between Alex and his mother is portrayed in a way that is integral to the plot. His mother is trying to protect Alex in many ways but also is not recognizing that he is maturing. Alex misinterprets his mother’s actions and this creates a rift between them. The resolution of their conflict over time is completely believable and filled with good emotional nuances.

The film can be a bit didactic as the four youngsters learn to become a team and overcome their past hostilities. I will say that the screenplay did not overplay the number of these scenes, but still a little subtlety would have gone a long way.

Despite the fact that the protagonists and antagonists eventually work through their differences to become a team, I will admit that I found the bullying sequences to be disturbing. Not only was the violence displayed all too realistic, but so were the feelings of powerlessness of the victims to respond. The scene where Alex refuses to rat out his tormentor is particularly depressing. The adults, viz. the administrator and Alex’s mother, are completely ineffectual, thus adding another sad, often accurate touch.

I would not recommend this movie for very young children as it may be too scary. The target audience seems to be middle-school children, and it is age-appropriate for this group. However, if you have a child who is being bullied, you should take that into account when choosing to watch this film.

Overall the movie combines interesting twists on the Arthur legend with inspiring lessons on overcoming obstacles and learning how to work with others. It has exciting action sequences and a knowing sense of humor that serves the film well.

Rating: Three and a half out of five stars

Alex thinks he’s just another nobody, until he stumbles upon the mythical Sword in the Stone, Excalibur. He must unite his friends and enemies and, together with the legendary wizard Merlin, take on the wicked enchantress Morgana to become the great leader he never dreamed he could be.

Cast: Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Dean Chaumoo, Tom Taylor, Rhianna Dorris, Angus Imrie, with Rebecca Ferguson and Patrick Stewart
Written and Directed by: Joe Cornish