I came to this off the back of ATTACK THE BLOCK, a film that many of us adore. It was smart, fresh, witty, exciting and appealing and one of the best films of 2011. Joe Cornish's follow-up took years to come through, and I guess I was hoping for more of the same. I didn't get it. The writer/director's previously-displayed creativity is entirely missing, leaving this a generic 'young adult' fantasy preoccupied with tired tropes and generic staging. The whole thing has a bargain basement LORD OF THE RINGS rip-off feel to it, but made without any of the expected British charm. Instead they up the comedy stakes and as a result this becomes completely embarrassing at times, a made-up-as-they-go-along kind of feel to it. The acting is also routinely poor, with unrestained overacting from certain performers and a general lack of conviction from all involved; with the offspring of both Celia Imrie and Andy Serkis in the cast and neither displaying any kind of talent, this whiffs of nepotism too. Add in the usual pretty but soulless CGI action that's blighted many a modern movie, you have a general waste of time, although it does pick up a little at the end for a lively climax.

The movie starts by retelling the Arthurian legend. Morgana threatens to return when the world descends back to darkness. Arthur declares that Excalibur shall also return. In the present day, Alex Elliot and his best friend Bedders are bullied by Lance and Kaye. His father is long gone and his mother is helpless. One night, he pulls Excalibur out of a rock. A new kid arrives at school. He is Merlin in disguise and reveals that Morgana shall rise in four days during an eclipse.

This has good potential to bring Arthurian adventure into the modern world. There are issues with the kids and eventually, they awkwardly work them out. First, the group is better off with only one bully. By having two bullies, the characteristic gets diffused. It would be better to have three friends and one bully. Second, the bully's great backstabbing move should not be taking Excalibur. His backstabbing move should be running away from the fight. If he takes the sword, he declares himself to be the heroic king and takes on the biggest challenge. It should be the exact opposite. He should be scared of the danger and his redemption is rejoining the team. On the other hand, I like the general concept and the group does slowly grow on me. The idea of uniting enemies for the round table is an interesting idea. It does need better execution.

The story follows that of King Arthur. Alex (Louis Ashbourne Serkis) raised by a single mom discovers he is descended from King Arthur. England and the world is divided (didn't mention Brexit) and Morgana is poised to return. Alex must mount an army of kids to defeat her.

The acting was bad and the plot dragged along. The dialogue wasn't cute and clever like it should be for a kid's film. They had demons in flames but no Nicolas Cage. Even Patrick Stewart didn't help.