Merlin
CDN$ 11.39
Enjoyable but brief - I have enjoyed this adaptation for years. Sam Neil is an excellent Merlin, and it is refreshing to find a movie that focuses on the Merlin side of the myth rather than the over-done Arthur side (indeed, Arthur seems secondary and two-dimensional in contrast). I especially like the battle of wills between Mab and Merlin that drive the entire narrative. You can t help but identify with them both. The actors all do a fabulous job with what they were given.That said, it is obvious that the producers were focusing more on the special effects than the screenplay. The story line comes across rather choppy and like watching a quick synopsis of a bigger movie. The movie careens along at a hippedy-hop pace, touching down for short moments here and there before galloping off again, leaving the viewer wishing for a few moments of breath in a scene. It could easily have been a seven hour movie and felt only just barely full. If you enjoyed the well-thought-out plodding of Mists of Avalon, you may find this movie too brief and glossy.Still, I recommend it for an ejoyable afternoon. Think I ll go watch it again...
What else to expect? - What else to expect from overbearing people who think they know everything about the world. Strange, I thought the USA actually existed only since 1880 something...and it was founded by all the rejects of the Eastern side.This miniserie is very well made, acted and thought about. The human side of this version is appealing compared to all the usual big budget cast and costumes that makes most movies totaly unbelievable. I especially like the fact that they show Merlin as described in old witchcraft book, a human that refused to be manipulated by the world of Magik.So for people WITH an imagination and an OPEN MINDD, this is an EXCELLENT movie (miniserie) to watch. Ruther Hauer is really acting like kings of those days must have been, careless, hypocrit, self-centered and overbearing.
Facts are facts and we have none.... - So, I ve read some reviews on this movie and I would like to say that I thought it was fantastic. I have been fascinated by Aurthurian legend since I was old enough to say Excaliber. I d like to make some facts clear to others. There is absolutly no evidence that anyone named Arthur ever even existed. It s called the Dark Ages for a reason, because we are blind to it. It was a period of unrest and violence and not much survived it. There is no evidence, there is no proof and so this movie is exactly as it should be. A work of art based on various myths and legends. Everyone tells the story of Arthur differently and I think this version is told quite well. Nobody wants the story to be real. It is the stuff of fairy tales that has survived centuries and offers something to writers and film makers everywhere that is rare and unique, a chance to be Very creative. This movie takes that opportunity and goes with it all the way. No two movies about Arthur can be compared but this one stands alone. No one has ever told Merlin s story. Amid all the scandal, adultury and war, he is forgotten and truly his story is an intiguing one. If you want to know what and who made Arthur and his kingdoms....watch this movie.
Pap, but has at least minimum chortle factor. - I think they were trying to go for a cross between Excalibur and Legend, but it ended up like the Weather (ITV) and Changing Rooms, with excessive access to Miranda Richardson s mouth. The best bit in the entire film is when Rutger Hauer as Vautigan is about to attack Uther Pendragon s army, and says Charge like the end was inevitable (his career that is). Brilliant Rutger! I laughed my head off. I was looking for anything by Monty Python when I got this, and I must say, I wasn t entirely disappointed. Maybe they were aiming this film at a younger audience, but wanted it to appeal to older viewers too, it just comes across as schizophrenic. The script is rubbish, nine year old children could write with more feeling, I think the legend advisor may have had a hand in the writing as it sounds like a researcher s list of facts than realistic dialogue. But I did laugh, so it gets 2 stars. (Assuming that 1 star equals zero, as you re not allowed to rate that low).
Jeez - This is a Fantasy story people, not a historical account! As a fantasy story it is chock full of fantasy elements, and as a story, the writer took liberties with the historical events. I think it is a good fantasy story and is worth watching/ reading