Merlin: The Return

  • Review Date: September 29, 2013
  • Rated: NR
  • Genre: Fantasy
  • Release Year: 2001
  • Running Time: 90 minutes

Common Sense Media says

Clumsy, low-budget King Arthur story is mostly harmless.
  • Review Date: September 29, 2013
  • Rated: NR
  • Genre: Fantasy
  • Release Year: 2001
  • Running Time: 90 minutes

Age(i)

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

Quality(i)

 
(i)
Watch
Write a review

What parents need to know

Positive messages

A pair of kids helps save the world, struggling against terrible odds and triumphing in the end.

 
Positive role models
The movie features two brave, helpful kids -- a boy and a girl -- who join forces with Merlin to help save the world. Merlin himself, despite being a little silly, is still a fairly admirable character, as are King Arthur and Sir Lancelot (although parents should remember that Lancelot has had an affair with King Arthur's wife Guinevere; this story takes place after those events).
Violence
The movie features some fantasy violence. There are some scary attacks from some ghostly skeleton creatures, and we see several sword fights, with stabbing and a little blood. Mordred attacks a female character, attempting to choke her. In a scary ritual, innocent people are turned into the scary skeleton creatures. Some of the good guys get stabbed in battle.
 
Sex
In one scene, a brooding Mordred sits surrounded by women who rub his arms and shoulders. After a few seconds, he gets up and storms off. There is some brief discussion of the affair that Sir Lancelot had with King Arthur's wife Guinevere, though it's discussed in terms of love rather than sex.
 
Language
"Damn" and "my God" are heard a couple of times each. Characters are called "stupid." Characters also tell others to "shut up" or "put a sock in it."
 
Consumerism
A Game Boy is mentioned and shown. Kids are seen sharing a Coca-Cola. A Coca-Cola refrigerated display case also is shown.
 
Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Not applicable

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Merlin: The Return is a U.K. feature that was released directly to video in the United States. It takes place mostly in the present day, with all the familiar characters from King Arthur's universe trying to navigate modern times. The movie seems to have been made with kids in mind, though it still features sword fighting, stabbing, some blood, and some scary skeleton creatures. There's a shot of several women rubbing and touching Mordred, and some discussion of the extramarital affair between Lancelot and Guinevere (which is referred to in terms of love rather than sex). Language includes a couple of uses of "damn" and "my God." Kids are seen drinking Coca-Cola, with a Coca-Cola display case on view. A Game Boy is shown. This movie feels very low-budget and clumsy, but it's also inoffensive and might please younger viewers who are interested in King Arthur's legend.

User reviews

Review this title!

Parents say

Not yet rated
Review this title!

Kids say

Not yet rated
Review this title!

What's the story?

For 1,500 years, the great wizard Merlin (Rik Mayall) has been keeping tabs on the evil Mordred (Craig Sheffer), who has been banished to another dimension. Unfortunately, a self-serving modern-day scientist (Tia Carrere) has found a way to let Mordred out. So Merlin enlists the help of some old friends, King Arthur (Patrick Bergin), Sir Lancelot (Adrian Paul), and Guinevere (Julie Hartley). Meanwhile, an American boy, Richie (Byron Taylor), and his new English friend Kate (Leigh Greyvenstein) lend a hand in helping to save the world. Can Mordred be defeated this time?

Is it any good?

QUALITY
 
For this 2000 movie, writer/director Paul Matthews likely was hampered by a small budget and possibly a lack of skill. MERLIN: THE RETURN looks chintzy, doesn't often make any sense, and frequently suffers from poor visual effects, unfunny jokes, and stagnant battle scenes. Actors such as Craig Sheffer and Tia Carrere, who have been decent elsewhere, come across as fairly hammy, and comic actor Rik Mayall seems an odd choice for Merlin. He never seems sure whether he wants to be heroic or crack a joke.
 
The plot doesn't seem to come from anywhere. It's not clear what the scientist hopes to achieve by freeing Mordred, nor is it clear what he's going to do when he's freed. It's also not clear what everyone is still doing alive after 1,500 years. But, aside from all this nonsense, the movie is far from annoying or aggressive. It's actually fairly inoffensive and harmless, and a certain kind of young viewer might actually enjoy it.

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about the movie's violence and scary creatures. Is it too intense for kids? Does it help or hinder the story?
  •  
  • What went on between King Arthur's wife Guinevere and Sir Lancelot? Did they betray King Arthur? Did they try to hurt him on purpose? How would you feel in the same situation?
  •  
  • Does the movie put the younger characters in any danger? Is the story more exciting or more interesting with younger, more modern characters in it?
  •  
  • Does this movie make you want to learn more about the legend of King Arthur?
  •  

Movie details

DVD release date:August 26, 2001
Cast:Craig Sheffer, Patrick Bergin, Rik Mayall, Tia Carrere
Director:Paul Matthews
Studio:Allumination
Genre:Fantasy
Run time:90 minutes
MPAA rating:NR

This review of Merlin: The Return was written by

Jeffrey M. Anderson

About our rating system

  • ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
  • OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids of any age.

Find out more

Quality

Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Learning ratings

  • Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
  • Very Good: Engaging, good learning approach.
  • Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
  • Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
  • Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.
  • Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

Find out more

About our buy links

When you use our links to make a purchase, Common Sense Media earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes. As a nonprofit organization, these funds help us continue providing independent, ad-free services for educators, families, and kids while the price you pay remains the same. Thank you for your support.
Read more

See more about how we rate and review.

Great handpicked alternatives

For kids who love fantasy and adventure

Adventure Movies
Best Fantasy Movies
See all recommended movie lists

Browse more movies

Top advice and articles

What parents and kids say

Write a user reviewThere aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

Poll

Did our review help you make an informed decision about this product?

Poll

What are the different ways that you access Common Sense Media ratings and information? (Check all that apply)

Essential Apps Guide