Quick Movie Reviews
Rating of
3/4
Ian - wrote on 09/25/2015
A great movie and probably the best on the subject of the King Arthur legend. This is your classic word and sorcery story full of as realistic portrayal of these elements as was possible. The soundtrack is exceptional and really brings does the film justice. This is not for children, there is a scene in which a knight in full armor has sex with a lady, which isn't appropriate for all audiences. Regardless, I watched the movie at a young age and was highly impressed.
Rating of
3/4
Yojimbo - wrote on 07/02/2012
Possibly the best telling of the Arthurian legend (The Holy Grail aside!), this deconstruction of the myth adds an element of realism missing from most of the competition. Grittily filmed, gory battle sequences counterpoint the mysticism and the characters are much more three dimensional and human. Nicol Williamson's portrayal of Merlin as a bumbling eccentric rather than the usual enigmatic mystic is particularly memorable.
Rating of
3/4
CJP - wrote on 01/25/2009
Action: 3/3 + Comedy: 0.5/2 + Good vs Evil: 1/1 + Love/Sex: 1/1 + Special Effects: 1/1 + Plot: 1/1 + Music: 1/1 = 8.5/10 or 85%. Excalibur stands the test of time well. The special effects do not come in abundance, which makes many fantasy films from 1981 dated, and the acting is commendable. The story does jump though- where one scene can end while the next begins 5 years later. However, it covers the tales in quality and is a better film than LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring, though not much shorter and not as enjoyable as LOTR 2 or 3. The fact that it has been virtually forgotten shows that the public wasn't ready for such an epic scope of fantasy in 1981.
