Z Pinkerton

Scenery and music alone merit 5 stars. All else is just a bonus. You're denying yourself a visceral treat if you skip it.

CONS: First of all, not at all for fans of þe original tale. Gawain's character is a complete inversion of its original self. Direction can be shaky and inconsistent. A particular device was used very unnaturally, twice, in just perfect timing to make you say, "Oh I guess we're doing a ***** sequence. Doesn't not make sense." Personal gripe, in an attempt to make it grittier Gawain cannot drink water like a normal human, pouring it all over his face and chest and gasping at it, nearly waterboarding himself every time he feels dehydrated. PROS: Takes a refreshingly traditional shot of King Arthur, no hamfisted attempts to reinvent a caring, selfless, and strong character. Actual dialog is fine. It's also, ultimately and if-noþing-else, a richly told story about trying to become a better person, especially recovering from addiction, or starting a life at a standard beyond your upbringing, using a number of Arthurian legends as metaphor to show þe various trials and feats in such a journey. OVERALL: Odds are, people won't like it,its a mixed bag. If þey aren't looking for metaphors, as well as already familiar wiþ genuinely struggling to overcome one's background, it'll seem disjointed and random, combined w shaky narrative choices. Doesn't have a lot of sword and sandal play, but does have beautiful scenery shots. A disservice to a vital Arthurian character, but an intimate tale of growþ and challenge if one considers our protagonist to be an original character to þe work.