Read Mixed User Reviews for Outlaw King

6

night4Nov 10, 2018

Some of the camera work is nauseating and the pacing is rushed. Also, some of the characters are absolutely ridiculous. But overall, it's decently enjoyable for the battle scenes and most of the acting.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

6

OthrandurNov 11, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. While it isn't a bad movie, it's extremely derivative and barely has a passing acquaintance with historical accuracy. The real Robert de Brus mounted a ravaging campaign against England. This movie would have him a desperate underdog with a handful of men, but the real Robert led thousands of men on raids as deep into the England as Carlisle. The movie has him with only 500 men at the Battle of Bannockburn when he had around 6000. Robert is a kind and gentle man of the people in the movie, but the real Robert was a snobbish noble of many generations who preferred the company of the royal court in London to that of the plebs. And then, there's the usual Hollywood nonsense, like men in chain mail swimming in a lake, the inevitable Disney-like villainous son of the king, gutted men riding horses for comfort and rest.

So what's good? The movie keeps a good pace. The scenery is gorgeous. Ignoring the dissonance with reality, the story that was fabricated around the real events was interesting. The actors were good, though they're the same ones who appear in every movie about Scotland. Chris Pine made a valiant effort to keep his signature smirk in check.

Ultimately, regardless of any other factor, the movie is just forgettable, which is probably worse than being bad.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

All this user's reviews

5

vetal-xNov 10, 2018

I didn't see full festival version (2 hours 15 min.) "Outlaw King" but according to the current version (1 hour 55 min.) would be better if the film remained unchanged. Constant haste in the story, where invariably visible cropped dialoguesI didn't see full festival version (2 hours 15 min.) "Outlaw King" but according to the current version (1 hour 55 min.) would be better if the film remained unchanged. Constant haste in the story, where invariably visible cropped dialogues and accordingly suffers the chemistry between the characters. In particular, the desire of the director and screenwriters to tell about the whole historical event and total miscast main character (Chris Pine) logically brings a sad result.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

All this user's reviews

6

DodgerNov 9, 2018

This movie started off well but unfortunately fell away as it went on, this is due atleast in part to the fact it started to stray away from historical accuracy towards the end. This is acceptable to some degree for "cinematic effect" but notThis movie started off well but unfortunately fell away as it went on, this is due atleast in part to the fact it started to stray away from historical accuracy towards the end. This is acceptable to some degree for "cinematic effect" but not to the level where it takes you out of the film. Started off as an low 8 but ended up as a low 6/high 5.

When you start to tell me that 500 peasants with sticks beat 3000 heavy knights on horse back, my attention starts to wander. (I am aware the battle happened, but maybe have a look at the actual history of it)… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

All this user's reviews

6

amheretojudgeNov 10, 2018

a fluent vocab..

Outlaw King Mackenzie's fight against these historical events has a quick and ferocious pace that demands attention from you from its first act itself. One can easily see the eye that Mackenzie has had to create a perioda fluent vocab..

Outlaw King

Mackenzie's fight against these historical events has a quick and ferocious pace that demands attention from you from its first act itself. One can easily see the eye that Mackenzie has had to create a period piece with all the dedication there is. He knows that the detailings can lure the audience in, since the tactics, language, ceremonies and rituals, everything can be amaze the viewers to experience it on screen. Surprisingly, it is a well choreographed movie. Not only the fight sequences, the conversations, the long one-take sequences and the structure too.

The script has a fluent vocab. The speech is researched well enough to clearly be able to speak about it. Also, the physical sequences are clean and visually comfortable to see, except for brutal blood splash on the floor that can be too much at times. But as far as the war scenes are concerned, unlike any other features, you never get confused or too busy amongst the clashes of swords, horse riding, man slaughtering burnt palaces and suffocated environment. His update on the piece, is that he had managed to make it more gripping and emotionally fueled for us to keep rooting for these characters.

The camera work itself is immensely fascinating and well handled for you to be invested in this intriguing storyline. Mackenzie uses the set pieces and locations wisely and foliates through the cinematography and camera work that offers you a much more personal experience. Aforementioned, the narration is buoyant natured, it keeps giving you back through a tightly packed screenplay and enthralling horn fights. The conversations doesn't go as anticipated, these are the most non-historical ones that I have encountered on screen. With a brisky and gritty script, the characters are aptly developed and cooked.

A King, A Knight, with a potential to wipe out the entire battlefield, at a certain point in this tale, feels vulnerable for never given the opportunity to even swing a sword and lose these many men, on that note Mackenzie and Pine both succeeds on drawing that emotion out from the screen. Pine is much more evolved in his portrayal. His protective instincts are more expressive than the rage. And with such a track that follows up the glorious life of Robert The Bruce, his performance bodes well, you do care for him and not because of the circumstances he is put on but the performances. But this wheel gets stuck more than once.

The storytelling isn't layered or thought provoking enough to push your boundaries, it doesn't make you think twice. Mackenzie isn't over chewing stuff like he did on Hell Or High Water. He doesn't take the material for granted. And even though the previous one was much more layered and poetic, personally I prefer Outlaw King over it, for all the razzle dazzle it goes through to be honest and genuinely moving. Addition to that, Outlaw King is more Pine's tale than it is Mackenzie's, he rules unequivocally with firm affirmative decisions that you can rely upon.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

All this user's reviews

4

OlivierPielNov 11, 2018

Just because I'm pro-Scottish independence, I cannot put this movie into the red category. However this is a story as Disney-like (untrue and dumb down) as they come. Acting and decors of course are ok. It's just a silly entertainment helpingJust because I'm pro-Scottish independence, I cannot put this movie into the red category. However this is a story as Disney-like (untrue and dumb down) as they come. Acting and decors of course are ok. It's just a silly entertainment helping you while your time away...and of course a good excuse for cursing the English along the way :)… Expand

3 of 11 users found this helpful38

All this user's reviews

6

TheWaffleJan 8, 2019

Good production design and solid acting. However, the editing and script are pretty weak.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

5

rockonMay 25, 2021

I wanted to give this a better rating but can't because I just don't feel that Pine had enough of a hard-edged persona for the role. He has this kind of softie, aw shucks, really nice guy persona that doesn't fit. He didn't express the typeI wanted to give this a better rating but can't because I just don't feel that Pine had enough of a hard-edged persona for the role. He has this kind of softie, aw shucks, really nice guy persona that doesn't fit. He didn't express the type of rage I would expect at key moments in the film. Not exactly the intensity of Mel Gibson in Braveheart. Which, incidentally, has been perverted. Robert the Bruce was probably the origin of that nickname. It is reasonably well-acted. Although there is a clumsy sex scene with Pine and his co-star where his butt is level with the camera and right about third eye level and you're thinking you might get a glimpse of the pucker. Which was really an unfortunate moment in the film. And at least a full second of unwanted tension. I did not want to see Chris Pine's butt hole. For the most obvious reason but also because I would wonder exactly how that was relevant to the film. I could lose sleep over something like that.

But really how do you even make a project like this when much of what is known about this King of Scotland is probably more legend than fact? How do you portray this man when nobody really has any idea of what he was like? One thing historically that is true is the shifting alliances that happened. Really I believe there is a hint of genuine history here when they mention that Bruce and the young English Prince knew each other when they were growing up. These people were so inter-related it was insane. And related to royal blood all over Europe. Everybody was somebody's cousin. All the nobles of the great houses knew each other.

Everybody who knew Bruce should have assumed two things. He's a murderer. And you might never know who he has made a deal with. So he could never be trusted. They were always making deals, breaking them, and then killing each other. Just like organized crime gangs. Which is basically what they all were. The entire island and Ireland was a grouping of Mafia Dons and the King of England was the Boss of Bosses. So if this was written properly Bruce probably should have been portrayed as a brutal tyrant. Ready to double-cross and murder anyone. Just like all the rest. Scotland may think he's a hero but he was just another killer. They were all murderers. It came with the job.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

4

shoulderoforionNov 12, 2018

Other than filling in a bit of what happens in Scotland AFTER Braveheart, this movie was boring as heck, the only redeeming value is seeing some of the best British character actors in supporting roles. You can miss this and be none the poorer.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

All this user's reviews

5

JLuis_001Nov 15, 2018

I had high expectations for this film but the truth is that it fell quite short. If weren't for the battle sequences this story would have been very boring. And it's not that I'm against a story with its respective doses of betrayals andI had high expectations for this film but the truth is that it fell quite short. If weren't for the battle sequences this story would have been very boring. And it's not that I'm against a story with its respective doses of betrayals and fights for thrones between kings and princes but honestly Outlaw King is simply a film unable to respond with sufficient quality to the size and ambition of its production.

Chris Pine is not up to a role like this, while Aaron Taylor-Johnson overacts too much. Those who deserve a mention despite the short screen time they have are the young Florence Pugh and the veteran Stephen Dillane after that, the film doesn't really have anything more memorable to mention.

The production shows that they invested a lot but seeing it well it would have been a colossal failure at the box office.
Incredibly respectable that Netflix is distributing it but one must wonder how many more risks will they be taken with productions of this caliber that don't deliver the expected dividends.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

6

soysauce93Nov 15, 2018

If, like me, you find the minor details of medieval British history fascinating, and have some prior knowledge or interest in Robert the Bruce, you will enjoy this film. It is apparently nearly completely accurate insofar as it is possible toIf, like me, you find the minor details of medieval British history fascinating, and have some prior knowledge or interest in Robert the Bruce, you will enjoy this film. It is apparently nearly completely accurate insofar as it is possible to know, and the realism of the battle scenes means you can almost imagine being there. But I understand the critics' opinions that there isn't enough drama, pace or character development to satisfy those who don't already find the subject matter interesting. Think of it as more a docudrama.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

6

geewahJan 7, 2021

The compelling story of Robert the Bruce that's interesting enough without being anything memorable.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews