The Kid Who Would Be King Review: 6 Ups & 2 Downs

5. Joe Cornish's Strong Writing & Direction

It shouldn't surprise anyone who's seen Attack the Block, but Joe Cornish's writer-director two-hander proves successful at a much higher budget this time, with the film's hefty $59 million price tag compared to Attack the Block's $10-ish million.

The script is fully aware of its own goofiness and thoroughly embraces it, while filtered through the same unapologetically British filter that made Attack the Block feel so unique.

Once again, it feels like Cornish is writing what he knows, making the film's London locales feel lived-in and giving the film an oddly down-to-Earth vibe despite its inherent silliness.

Cornish's direction also supports the writing well, leaning into the bizarre setting (for a fantasy film) while milking the tonal and aesthetic clashes for every drop they're worth and wringing fine performances out of his cast.