See it once (Knight's Tale, A (DVD))

Member Name: Pingu

Product:	Knight's Tale, A (DVD)
Date:	27/09/01 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Funny!!!

Disadvantages: Too long, Poor acting

So there I am in Exeter with nothing to do, and I think, I know, I'll go to the cinema. Unfortunately I discover that I've seen everything showing at the local cinema, and there is nothing in the world that could persuade me to see that dreadful Planet of the Apes thing a second time. Then I see a little board advertising a preview showing of A Knight's Tale. Miraculously, despite having seen everything else this summer, I've yet to see a trailer for this film; in fact I haven't heard of it at all. So do I take the risk?

Well I did, and it turned out to be a good decision. The film is an absolute stunner...at least on the first watching. It's about a young apprentice to a jousting knight, William (Heath Ledger), who decides to finish a joust in his master's place when his master dies during a tea-break. You could probably predict the rest of the story right? Following his win he decides he'll do it full time, and, of course, he'll turn out to be the greatest knight ever. There'll be a girl along the way, and probably an enemy who is also set on being the greatest knight of all. Well you'd be right. Nothing the least bit unpredictable I'm afraid.

Also the acting isn't going to leave any of Hollywood's A-list worried about their jobs - in fact even the likes of Matt Le Blanc are probably breathing sighs of relief (very woodenly though). The effects are nothing to write home about either.

What did make the film worth it was the humour. Some may accuse it of being cheesy, but the fact that it laughs at itself draws you in nonetheless. When a cliche is used it is hammed up to the point where it becomes something knew. I found myself laughing from the beginning to the end.

I have to admit I went to see it again and it wasn't nearly as good a second time. Once I was anticipating the jokes all the other things about the film that aren't so hot started to get on my nerves. Al
so the fact that it can't decide whether it's a drama or a comedy started to bug me more.

Go and see it once - it is really good family entertainment. But you probably won't put it on your must buy list of videos.

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