Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Clumsy, low-budget King Arthur story is mostly harmless.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Merlin: The Return
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In MERLIN: THE RETURN, 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?
This movie looks chintzy, doesn't often make any sense, and frequently suffers from poor visual effects, unfunny jokes, and stagnant battle scenes. Writer/director Paul Matthews likely was hampered by a small budget and possibly a lack of skill. 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, Merlin: The Return is far from annoying or aggressive. It's actually fairly inoffensive and harmless, and a certain kind of young viewer might actually enjoy it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Merlin: The Return'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
- On DVD or streaming : August 26, 2001
- Cast : Craig Sheffer , Patrick Bergin , Rik Mayall , Tia Carrere
- Director : Paul Matthews
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Allumination
- Genre : Fantasy
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 19, 2019
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