A Knight's Tale

Brian Helgeland's A Knight's Tale is a hugely entertaining medieval romp set to modern rock classics such as Queen's 'We Will Rock You' and Thin Lizzy's 'The Boys are Back in Town'. The movie urges you to join in the fun with recognisable songs that is a jarring juxtaposition to the 14th century goings on at first but you soon get used to the idea.

Heath Ledger is excellent as the peasant who wants to be a knight and, upon meeting a homeless writer, who turns out to be Chaucer, offers to forge papers so that Ledger can bluff his way into the annual jousting competition to prove his worth as a knight and finds romance along the way.

This film has everything - action, adventure, comedy, romance and rock songs. It's feel good entertainment and Helgeland's unique approach still feels fresh, sassy and on point. Ledger is surrounded by a good supporting cast of Paul Bettany, Rufus Sewell, Mark Addy, Shannyn Sossamon and James Purefoy.

It's the perfect mix of a smart witty script, solid acting and an off kilter approach that really works. Baz Luhrmann pulled a similar trick with both Romeo & Juliet (1996) and Moulin Rouge (2001) by mixing up period pieces with modern songs to serve the narrative in an unconventional way.

But it is mine.

All HUGE heart, loyal friendship and REAL character WITH real characters. And a whole lot of fun and good laughs.

Just, love it for what it is.

Totally unbelievable.

Chronologically, historically and geographically incorrect.

Full of innumerable inaccuracies and made up of a cast who talk as though they are not from the same continent, let alone the same country! What more can I say?

I tell you what I can say, I thoroughly enjoyed it!!! I laughed from beginning to end and was enraptured by the sense of friendship that these people displayed.

I only wish we could all be like them!

I loved it.

I first saw "A Knight's Tale" by chance. A few of us had decided on an ad hoc visit to the local cinema and selected "A Knight's Tale" simply because it sounded the least "teen" movie on the bill. We slapped down our cash and took our seats.

The movie began...

A crowd of peasants are assembled to watch the jousting. And they're singing "We Will Rock You."

My initial response was "God, this is going to be bad."

But as the movie continued, it suddenly dawned on me - I wasn't hating the movie at all! On an intellectual level, I should have been booing and throwing stuff at the screen but there's something about the sheer verve and energy of "A Knight's Tale" that just drags you in on an emotional level.

A clever script with many modern references, a good cast of likeable characters and a fantastic soundtrack (the reveal of "Golden Years" is particularly good) all add up to make "A Knight's Tale" one of the most entertaining mainstream movies I've seen in a long time.

Normally I hate "popcorn" movies - not because I consider them "low brow" or an insult to the intelligence, but because they're shallow, tired and lack soul. Yet "A Knight's Tale" is different. No, it won't change your life and it won't make you ponder your place in the universe. But it will entertain you.

If you're looking for an "old fashioned" good vs. evil movie with a twist, or your copy of "The Princess Bride" is wearing thin, check out "A Knight's Tale."

8/10

A story about jousting but this old knight's tale is anything but old because it mixes in satire of today's modern sports-audience age with some funny bits. Those include the overly dramatic public address announcer (boy, that's even more so since this film came out), rock music blaring out as the contestants do battle, etc.

The main characters are nicely varied with distinct personalities. Shannon Sossamon, however, was not quite up to leading-lady status and hasn't had a choice role like this since, either. I would have rather seen her "assistant" in this film, or the blacksmith woman, be the lead. Anyway, even though it's a bit long at 132 minutes, it's still entertaining most of the way, with some of the funniest bits at the beginning. However, it's just as much a romance (with Heath Ledger as the male lead) than a comedy.

What also is good is the sound and visuals in here: all high-class. The lance hitting an opponent made an interesting sound each time. The surround sound in here was good, too.

It's a film most people would like, and I recommend seeing it.