‘Arthur’ is old-fashioned, epic action

King Arthur has been a hero and a leader for centuries -- from Celtic

mythology to modern prose. This summer’s “King Arthur” in theaters is

the latest Hollywood version, with big battles, sweeping scenes, epic

storytelling.

Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Antoine Fuqua, this

King Arthur (Clive Owen) rises from the ancient Roman Empire,

emerging as an unquestioned leader and courageous conspirator. He is

everything a hero should be -- strong, bold, relentless, yet

forgiving, and a magnificent fighter.

Throughout the Dark Ages in Europe, such a character was created

for people to see that hope does, indeed, exist. King Arthur brings

faith and hope to the people. New evidence arises that this man has

in fact existed during the time of Rome’s great reign and “King

Arthur” is his adventure.

Told through the eyes and heart of Lancelot (Ioan Gruffudd), the

film begins in Sarmatia, a nation the Roman Empire has not conquered

but holds a bargain with. In return for not absorbing Sarmatia into

the empire, this nation must send young men to serve in the Roman

army for 15 years before they are permitted to return. Lancelot is

one such man. He leaves his family when he is old enough to fight,

joining a band of men in their obligation to help expand the

territory of Rome.

Fifteen years later, this band of men -- now known as the Knights

of the Round Table -- are to be liberated from the control of the

Roman bishop and will be free to go home. But on the eve of freedom,

the bishop assigns them a new quest. The seven remaining knights are

to cross to the northern side of British territory and rescue a

wealthy Roman family from the threat of the Saxons.

After their mission is accomplished, and their liberation is

complete, another conflict presents itself to the knights. Although

the Saxons were put down in battle, they were not defeated in war. To

avenge their loss, the Saxons lay siege to the bishop’s castle. The

knights are no longer required to fight, but Arthur, or Atorius as he

is known to the Saxons, chooses to attack. With aid of natives and

their leader Merlin, they thrive in combat.

Many aspects of the legend of King Arthur have some obscure and

undefined points that are left to the believer’s imagination. One is

the existence of Merlin. Most legends hold Merlin to be a gentle,

wise and knowledgeable wizard, an advisor to Arthur in trying times.

But in this film, he is presented as the tribal leader of a native

people rising up against the Roman Empire. Despite his indigenous

appearance as a man of the forest, in some ways he does become an

example to Arthur, though not in ways of previous of myths and

legend.

Arthur comes across the big screen as a gallant hero with no

flaws, willing to do anything and everything for his men. He is

hurled through a sequence of wars and obstacles and appears immortal,

for he is never defeated.

The film is big on battles, but we see little of his love and

friendships. Guinevere exists as his love in most legends -- and

Lancelot as his best friend. Guinevere (Keira Knightley) is present

in only half of this film.

“King Arthur” depicts the life of our hero to be one of rescue,

bloody wars and death. A lot of old-fashioned, epic action.

* SARA SALAM is a student at Corona del Mar High School.

‘Anchorman’ founders

without enough laughs

At the beginning of “Anchorman,” Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) is

the anchorman of the top-rated local news team in San Diego during

the 1970s. Burgundy is backed by his Action News Team of reporter

Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd), sports reporter Champ Kind (David

Koechner) and weatherman Brick Tamland (Steven Carell). The four men

are a tight team at work and good friends after work. It being the

1970s, they are also sexist and macho.

The Action News Team is, therefore, rather upset and threatened

when an ambitious female reporter, Veronica Corningstone (Christina

Applegate), is added to the news program. The guys try to force her

out of the newsroom, while also trying to score with her.

Written by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, the story is very thin and

always silly. That would be alright, if the movie were really funny.

However, there are only a few genuinely amusing moments, while most

of the movie falls flat. You know a comedy just isn’t working when

even the brilliant Fred Willard, as news director Ed Harken, can’t

get many laughs.

The fairly-talented cast does the best it can with the material.

Ferrell is actually surprisingly good as Burgundy, making him sweet

and likable, even while he is vain, sexist and egotistical. Applegate

also does a good job playing the foil for all the silliness going on

around her.

“Anchorman” is not a bad movie, but doesn’t not have enough laughs

to recommend it. If you want to see a good comedy this summer, “Shrek

2” is a better choice.

* TRICIA BEHLE lives in Newport Beach and works as a software

validator.