The new movie 'Arthur the King' starring Mark Wahlberg feels like a typical underdog story. It's about an adventure racer, Michael, who is struggling to win races. He lives in a nice house with his wife and daughter, but he's unhappy because he hasn't achieved his goals.
Michael explains that racers always race. His wife agrees to let him find sponsors. He's obsessed with proving himself in this niche sport, similar to Diana Nyad. Meanwhile, his wife gave up racing to be a mom.
The movie is also based on a true story about racer Mikael Lindnord and his book about the dog, Arthur. The dog doesn't become a central part of the story until 45 minutes into the movie. Director Simon Cellan Jones tries to include footage of the dog's stray days in Santo Domingo.
The race part of the movie feels rushed and superficial, with generic characters and a standard score. The female characters are not well-developed, with the wife always waiting at home and the daughter having minimal presence. Another character is only concerned about her father's illness.
There is one intense scene involving a broken zip line, but the adventure aspect doesn't fully engage the audience. The bond between the teammates doesn't stand out. As the journey progresses, Michael becomes more attached to the dog and less focused on winning. He also starts caring about his teammates.
The movie 'Arthur the King' is about a man and a dog racing together. It's an underdog story starring Mark Wahlberg and involves adventure racing, family, and personal growth.
When the race finishes, the dog becomes even more important. This is where emotions are stirred, especially when the camera focuses on a dog that may die. Michael mentioned that he never really liked dogs or had a pet, but he starts to care for this one. The real Michael established an animal welfare foundation because of this experience.
Maybe the movie will bring attention to the Arthur Foundation, but while the movie is enjoyable, it's somewhat unsatisfying overall.
“Arthur the King,” a movie from Lionsgate in theaters on Friday, is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association for “some strong language.” It's 90 minutes long. It received two stars out of four.
The new Mark Wahlberg movie “ Arthur the King ” is like the cinematic version of an inspirational poster you'd see in a classroom. It has good intentions and a valuable message, but it's mostly unoriginal — a story of an underdog that follows the expected patterns.
“Arthur the King,” a Lionsgate release in theaters Friday, is rated PG-13 the Motion Picture Association for “some strong language.” Running time: 90 minutes. Two stars out of four.