The Kid Who Would Be King — A Review

24th June, 2019.

It’s got to be said … I think I’ve had a bad day, today.

With news, last night, about my Uncle Brian’s death … 

And news this morning, that my Aunty Bella had died.

Which was the death that really twanged:  it’s only a few months ago we’d seen him.

So it seemed … not to be quite so painful.

That’s me, speaking for myself.

Bella’s death, on the other hand … ?

Hurts.

It’s been a while since we’d seen her: and arranging time to go down to Kent, to do so … ?



Seemed to take forever.

There was always a wrong time.

Until, of course, it’s to late … 

~≈†≈~

That has left me … 

Well, flummoxed … is possibly the wrong word.

Shocked … ?

Glum … ?



Possibly the word needed here, is glum.

Certainly — for now — in need of a lift.

I’d done gloomy, last night.

And seriously fancied something light and fluffy.

Hmmm … 

Joe Cornish’s The Kid Who Would Be King seemed to be something that would fill a hole.

~≈†≈~

The Kid Who Would Be King sees Alex (Louis Ashbourne Serkis) arriving at school: only to realise that best friend, Bedders (Dean Chaumoo) is being bullied by Lance and Kaye (Tom Taylor and Rhianna Dorris).

And, in escaping the pair?

In escaping the pair, Alex knocks himself unconscious, falling onto a pile of sand.

And, on coming round?

Noticing that the sword — that one, over there — is stuck in a very suspicious looking lump of concrete.

Suspicious looking … to a kid brought up on the tales of King Arthur … 

~≈†≈~

Now … 

Has The Kid Who Would Be King helped my mood?



Is it any good … ?



Are … there a lot of questions?

Well, yes: possibly more than I have time to answer … 


To be frank?

I don’t think The Kid Who Would Be King is as good as the last Joe Cornish film I saw: the 2011 Attack the Block.

I think the latter was a heck of a lot edgier, personally.   Which, if done right, can make a film really grab me.

Saying that?   I think The Kid Who Would Be King is aimed at more of of a family audience: and the younger ones at that.

I think — quite possibly — my eight year old nephew, Jude, would love it.

For now?



I think it’s safe to say The Kid Who Would Be King isn’t stunning … 



But IS an uplifting little film that deserves to have done better at the box office than it did.

And deserves watching at least once.

The Kid Who Would Be King★★☆☆