The Kid Who Would be King: Every ‘grown-up’ needs to see this

This is billed as a kid’s film – but every grown-up needs to see this.
And if you want to restore your faith in humanity, in your fellow man, in the world then you need to see it. And see it quick. It’s warm and charming and everything the world needs right now.

I’m the grand old age of 38. And during this film I cried twice, I had goose bumps six times and I pledged to call my best friend and plan an adventure like the ones we went on when we were 10. I can’t remember the last film that did that to me. I can’t remember any film that did that to me.

I don’t really need to go into the plot – it’s pretty much King Arthur and the sword Excalibur, fighting evil and a bloody big adventure. But I hate fairytales and I absolutely loved this.

Joe Cornish of Attack the Block fame wrote and directed it and he has made something truly exceptional. It’s even political. And in these bleak times I think it should be compulsory viewing.

Alex, the kid who would be king (Louis Ashbourne Serkis), and his trusty and utterly adorable sidekick Bedders (Dean Chaumoo) are at school and they’re being bullied. (I loved Dean Chaumoo and he reminded me of Julian Dennison (from Hunt for the Wilderpeople).
Anyway, one day while Alex is running from the ruthless bullies, after he’s stood up for Bedders, he hides in an old building site and that’s where he finds the sword. And so the exciting escapade swings into action. He and Bedders take on the world (and the other world which they’re fighting), they enlist the bullies in their chivalrous campaign and off they go to save the land. They are a daredevil duo and are better than Frodo and Samwise, Han and Chewie – and even better than Cagney and Lacey.

They’re chaperoned by Merlin (who is played by both Angus Imrie and Patrick Stewart…and an owl). He is an eccentric character and the hand movements he does to perform his magic should be the new ‘flossing’.

It’s like Stand By Me – but for modern times and with slicker lines, more fun and deeper friendships.

Old hand Patrick Stewart is wise and wonderful and like a more hip Gandalf – sporting a Led Zep T-shirt. He offers comfort and hope and I wish he would arrive on my doorstep.

As Brexit looms ever closer this film should be shown on a big screen in the Houses of Parliament and maybe May and Corbyn could unite for the greater good. After all…a land is only as good as its leaders.