Rating: 
Summary: Pap, but has at least minimum chortle factor.
Review: I think they were trying to go for a cross between Excalibur and Legend, but it ended up like the Weather (ITV) and Changing Rooms, with excessive access to Miranda Richardson's mouth. The best bit in the entire film is when Rutger Hauer as Vautigan is about to attack Uther Pendragon's army, and says "Charge" like the end was inevitable (his career that is). Brilliant Rutger! I laughed my head off. I was looking for anything by Monty Python when I got this, and I must say, I wasn't entirely disappointed.
Maybe they were aiming this film at a younger audience, but wanted it to appeal to older viewers too, it just comes across as schizophrenic. The script is rubbish, nine year old children could write with more feeling, I think the 'legend advisor' may have had a hand in the writing as it sounds like a researcher's list of facts than realistic dialogue. But I did laugh, so it gets 2 stars. (Assuming that 1 star equals zero, as you're not allowed to rate that low).
Rating: 
Summary: Sam Neal Is Amazing As Merlin!
Review: Merlin is one of those made-for-TV movies I remember well. Why? The performance of Sam Neal alone was worth it. He plays Merlin, as I would have thought him to be like. From young to old - he commanded presence and honor.The movie tells the life of the King Arthur days through the eyes of Merlin the Magician himself. He loves and heartaches and all the foils that come with growing up as a wizard. There are dragons, evil spells and witches. There is a lot of mystery and magic. The DVD does have a making of documentary and some interesting insights into reviving the old stories of the Knights In Shining Armor from Merlin's perspective. The creators and producers of this mini series were the same people who did the live-action TV remake of Alice In Wonderland with Martin Short. (Which I also reviewed!) This is a good movie and you get the entire thing in one sitting you don't have the commercials and you don't have to watch it over two nights! I loved this TV movie and your family will too!
Rating: 
Summary: Another wasted attempt....
Review: on what could've been something great. I don't mind it when liberties are taken(and there are aplenty here), just as long as they are used to tie up loose ends and/or give the director's theories on why certain things happened. Merlin does neither. I don't understand why they added the characters of Mab, Frick, Nimue, and the talking horse. They have nothing to do with Arthurian myth at all, and take up at least half of the film's time. Instead of being a decent 2 hour TV movie, it became a campy 2-day mini-series with goofy characters. And, the reason for adding in all of those uncessary characters? Just because. this film is so off that the British and American chapters of the Arthurian Archeological Society (organization for lovers of all things Arthurian) refused to endorse the film, and even gave it unfavorable reviews! Until they learn the true meaning of the word "research", Hallmark should stay out of the business of producing historical & literary epics
Rating: 
Summary: Jeez
Review: This is a Fantasy story people, not a historical account! As a fantasy story it is chock full of fantasy elements, and as a story, the writer took liberties with the historical events. I think it is a good fantasy story and is worth watching/ reading
Rating:
Summary: An Unappreciated Film
Review: This movie is excellent for anyone interested in the Arthurian Legends. Like all films, it has its moments of bad acting, fake effects, and other oddments. But seeing that it was made for TV, it's amazing that it converted into movie form so well. There are so many legends surrounding Merlin and Arthur that it's hard to keep track of them all, but in this movie, we can see the chronological order of things. It may be helpful for viewers to remember that primary documents about Merlin and Arthur are non-existant, and we are therefore more familiar with the later romanticized versions of the Arthurian Legends. The importance of legends lies not in the storyline, but in what that legend does for us. Merlin and the Arthurian Legends help us to recognize the magic of everyday - love, friendship, and other things of the heart as mystical as any magic of Mab. The writers artfully and subtly shaped the theme, which is: that the things which we create may well be the things that destroy us. This rendition of the Arthurian Legends combines the reality of human nature and the fantasy of myth. We can see a bit of ourselves in each of the characters (you'll find a little Mordred in me before 7am). This movie posesses human-hearted characters in a landscape of magic and mystery. Overall, a wonderful movie!
P.S. Trevor Jones is a genius - the music is fantastic! oh, and Frick is a riot!
Rating:
Summary: I loved it!
Review: This movie is the best one I've ever seen about Merlin, it's full of magic. It's pretty long so telling the plot is hard, but the main idea is great, Merlin is the story-teller and speaks of his life. The accent, as the title says, is placed on Merlin, not on Arthur or "real" history (who can really say that Arthur ever existed?). It's a film that both children and mature people can enjoy. You should see it! I love Miranda Richardson as Queen Mab, her choice to whisper instead of plain old saying it, makes her character even more seductive. Her look is grrrrrrreat in both her roles, Mab and her sister, the lady of the lake! Watch & enjoy!
|
