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

3. The Terrific Ensemble Cast

Though Angus Imrie categorically wrestles the movie away from everyone else, there's not a single weak link here, and quite a few memorable performances in fact.

In his first starring role, Louis Ashbourne Serkis - son of Andy - makes Alex a compelling, likeable protagonist, selling his own personal troubles yet without leaning too enthusiastically into the melodrama as so many young actors do.

Dean Chaumoo, Tom Taylor and Rhianna Dorris round out the supporting cast nicely as Alex's young friends, while Denise Gough does fine work as his put-upon mother, and of course, Patrick Stewart is a hoot in his few brief scenes as a frazzled older Merlin.

There's plenty of charm to go around the ensemble, and they all execute Cornish's material to the highest standard.