King Arthur: Legend of the Sword Blu-ray Review

"King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" presents a visually compelling 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 Blu-ray encode that strikingly aligns with director Guy Ritchie's vision and cinematographer John Mathieson's meticulous approach. Leveraging the digital capabilities of Arri Alexa cameras, the production achieves a crisp and detailed image, capturing minute details in texture from clothing to elaborate stone structures. The strong black levels provide commendable depth and shadow detail, offering a three-dimensional look that contributes to the overall immersive experience. Given the film's dark and gloomy atmosphere, the desaturated palette effectively complements the narrative backdrop, with occasional bursts of vivid primary colors like the bright yellows of flames or deep blues of the sky.

The stylistic choices in color grading predominantly maintain cool blues and earthy tones, underpinning the film's overall somber atmosphere. Despite the restrained contrast aimed at amplifying the perpetual gloominess associated with King Vortigern’s reign, whites remain crisp, maintaining visibility even in low-lit sequences. Exceptional clarity and sharpness are evidenced in facial close-ups, showcasing individual pores and fine lines, thereby enhancing the realism of characters. However, some sporadic softness in extreme wide shots and certain CG scenes minimally affects the film's otherwise stellar visual presentation.

Warner’s encode is proficiently executed at an average bitrate of 24.23 Mbps, ensuring a fluid viewing experience without noticeable artifacts or noise interference. Though the film’s deliberate use of somewhat faded colors might render some secondary hues less emphasized, primary colors remain bold and well-saturated, especially highlighted in daylight exterior scenes. These sequences benefit from a subtle golden hue that bathes the scenery in a warm light, juxtaposed against the darker sequences lit with mystical lights and color splashes like the vibrant embers surrounding the demon knight. The overall result is a highly engaging visual presentation that effectively translates Guy Ritchie's stylistic directorial choices into a graphic spectacle.

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" delivers an engaging and robust Dolby Atmos soundtrack on Blu-ray. The Atmos track immerses the listener with a vibrant and dynamic soundstage. Dialogue positioning remains primarily centered and clear, though some viewers might find the heavy accents occasionally challenging, prompting the use of subtitles. The extensive use of surrounds and overhead channels ensures an enveloping audio experience, effectively capturing the magic of war elephants, mystical beasts, and the crumbling of Vortigern’s tower. The bass performance is notable for its controlled and impactful delivery, providing deep extension during action-packed scenes without overwhelming the soundscape.

Despite its strengths, the Atmos mix is somewhat conservative in its use of overhead channels. While atmospheric effects and occasional panning fills are employed to good effect, the track could benefit from a more aggressive use of immersive sounds to heighten the source material's intensity further. Key sequences, such as Arthur wielding Excalibur or encounters with magical entities, showcase excellent dynamic range and bass depth, yet may leave some yearning for a more profound low-end impact during pivotal moments. Additionally, the score by Daniel Pemberton significantly enhances the overall experience, integrating seamlessly with the film's effects and dialogue to create a compelling sonic environment.

Overall, this Dolby Atmos track provides a well-crafted and satisfying auditory experience that complements the film's action and mystical elements. While it may not reach the pinnacle of Atmos mixes, it excels in creating an engaging and immersive listening field that enhances the cinematic journey of "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.

The Blu-ray extras for "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" provide an extensive look into the film's production. Each featurette delves deeply into various technical aspects, emphasizing the intricate choreography, set design, and unique modern adaptations of the traditional King Arthur tale. Viewers are treated to detailed insights from director Guy Ritchie, who discusses his creative vision for updating the iconic legend and bringing it to life with contemporary flair. The robust lineup of extras includes engaging first-hand accounts from cast members, especially Charlie Hunnam, who embodies Arthur with a refreshing blend of charm and rebellion. Additionally, the extras offer a rich behind-the-scenes look into the production dynamics and the camaraderie built during the 93-day shoot. This collection is essential for fans interested in the artistry and meticulous planning behind this reimagined epic.

Extras included in this disc:

• Arthur with Swagger: Focus on Charlie Hunnam's modern portrayal of King Arthur.
• Sword from the Stone: Director Guy Ritchie discusses modernizing the legend.
• Parry and Bleed: Training and choreography for the film’s sword fights.
• Building on the Past: Insight into medieval set design and costuming.
• Inside the Cut: The Action of King Arthur: Behind-the-scenes look at action sequences.
• Camelot in 93 Days: Challenges of completing the film shoot in three months.
• Legend of Excalibur: Modern interpretation of the legendary sword.
• Scenic Scotland: Closing production in Scotland.

Guy Ritchie's "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" offers a fresh, though divisive, spin on the Arthurian legend. True to Ritchie's style, the film is inundated with quick cuts, snarky dialogue, and frenetic visual storytelling. While some hail Ritchie’s stylistic choices as invigorating, others find the incessant editing and rapid-fire dialogue overbearing. The narrative diverges significantly from traditional Arthurian lore: Merlin is mostly absent, Uther Pendragon (Eric Bana) originally wields Excalibur, and Arthur (Charlie Hunnam) grows up unaware of his royal lineage. The film embraces its non-traditional roots, turning the legend on its head while displaying hallmarks of Ritchie’s earlier works like "Snatch" and "Sherlock Holmes."

Despite its budget of $175 million, the film fell short at the box office, grossing only $140 million globally. The narrative is often criticized for its incoherence and thin plot, which feels piecemealed together as if salvaging remnants from better mythological tales. The casting choices also spark debate; Charlie Hunnam's performance as Arthur is seen by many as wooden, unable to carry the heroic weight expected of him. Jude Law's Vortigern, portrays the family-murdering usurper, appears lackluster and fails to evoke meaningful villainy. The film’s pacing particularly suffers in the second act, only regaining momentum in a satisfying though predictable showdown.

Technical execution is mixed. CGI-heavy battle sequences and landscape shots are visually impressive but often feel derivative of "Lord of the Rings." Ritchie’s signature gimmicky editing sometimes detracts from an already convoluted plot. The attempt to modernize and inject grittiness into the Arthurian mythos can make the final product feel disjointed and more style over substance. Overall, while "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" carries Ritchie’s unmistakable flair, it remains a polarizing entry in the Arthurian canon — garnering a divided reception due to its blend of innovative style and flawed execution.

"King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" takes a bold swing at the Arthurian legend with Guy Ritchie's signature style and flair. While the film's narrative has its issues, notably a sluggish middle act that may test some viewers' patience, it primarily redeems itself through stunning visuals and an impressive Dolby Atmos audio mix. Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law, and Eric Bana offer performances that, while occasionally odd, are capable of capturing the essence of their characters. Ritchie’s unique charm permeates the film, injecting moments of fun and eccentricity into an otherwise conventional script. This Blu-ray release paints a technically solid picture with its 2.39.1 aspect ratio, offering a visually appealing experience.

On the technical front, the Blu-ray excels with an attractive transfer and outstanding audio quality. The Dolby Atmos track, flanked by various language options including Dolby TrueHD 7.1 and 5.1, ensures an immersive auditory experience. However, the supplementary materials are notably sparse and somewhat uninspiring, focusing more on the making of the film rather than its broader narrative context or intended franchise ambitions. Despite these shortcomings in additional content, fans of Guy Ritchie and those appreciative of robust visual and audio presentations will find value in this release.

"King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" is not a perfect film. In fact, it hovers precariously between mediocrity and fascination at points. However, Guy Ritchie’s unique charm adds a layer of fun that belies some of the film’s cornier moments. With incredible audio and video quality, along with a moderate array of extras, this Blu-ray is recommended for a fun watch, particularly for fans of Ritchie’s later work such as "Sherlock Holmes." Despite its flaws, it delivers an engaging home theatre experience worth exploring.