Merlin: The Return is a 2000 British fantasy film written, produced, and directed by Paul Matthews. The film stars Rik Mayall, Patrick Bergin, Craig Sheffer, Adrian Paul, Julie Hartley, and Tia Carrere.[2] It tells the story of Merlin and King Arthur in modern times.[3][4]
| Merlin: The Return | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Paul Matthews |
| Written by | Paul Matthews |
| Based on | Arthurian legend |
| Produced by | Elizabeth Matthews Paul Matthews |
| Starring | Rik Mayall Patrick Bergin Craig Sheffer Adrian Paul Tia Carrere |
| Cinematography | Vincent G. Cox |
| Edited by | Peter Davies |
| Music by | Mark Thomas |
Production company | Allumination |
| Distributed by | Peakviewing Transatlantic Plc |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Box office | £20,868 (UK)[1] |
Plot
editThis article needs an improved plot summary. (October 2022) |
For 1,500 years, the powers of Merlin (Rik Mayall) have kept the evil Mordred (Craig Sheffer) and his mother Morgana (Grethe Fox) captive in another world. When a present-day scientist (Tia Carrere) stumbles upon the gateway between this world and the one Mordred is imprisoned in, it is up to a recently re-awakened King Arthur (Patrick Bergin), Merlin and Lancelot (Adrian Paul) to stop Mordred from returning,[5] but Arthur seems more interested in slaying a large truck monster.
Cast
edit- Rik Mayall as Merlin
- Patrick Bergin as King Arthur
- Craig Sheffer as Mordred
- Adrian Paul as Lancelot
- Julie Hartley as Guinevere
- Tia Carrere as Dr. Joan Maxwell
- Leigh Greyvenstein as Kate
- Byron Taylor as Richie Gould
- Grethe Fox as Morgana
- Jennifer Steyn as Richie's Mom
- Anthony Bishop as Gawain
- Lynne White as Aunt Everlyn
- Jocelyn Broderick as Megan
Reception
editCritical reception for the film was mostly negative;[6][7][improper synthesis?] Michael Thomson of the BBC wrote, "It's almost as if director Paul Matthews had accepted a bet to make the worst possible film."[8] Time Out London commented that the film was "indifferently directed" but was "a harmless adventure".[9] Total Film, in summing up the film, wrote, "It's a word that has some might/It starts with `Sh'/And rhymes with kite...".[10]
References
edit- ^ Mettler, Erinna; Wickham, Philip (31 December 2004). "UK Box Office for UK Feature Films Released in 2000". The Stats: An Overview of the Film, Television, Video and DVD Industries in the UK 1990–2003 (PDF). British Film Instituteyear=2006. p. 235. ISBN 1-84457-017-7.
- ^ "Empire's Merlin The Return Movie Review". Empire Online. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ^ Peterson, Amy (2004). Mythology in Our Midst: A Guide to Cultural References. Greenwood. p. 114. ISBN 0313321922.
- ^ "Review: Merlin the Return". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ^ Mark Deming (2008). "Rovi Review: Merlin: The Return". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 26 February 2008. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ^ Harty, Kevin J (2010). Cinema Arthuriana: Twenty Essays. McFarland. pp. 26, 201, 209. ISBN 978-0786446834.
- ^ "Merlin The Return". Entertainment.ie. 5 April 2001. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ^ "Review: Merlin: the Return". BBC. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ^ "Review: Merlin: The Return". Time Out London. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ^ "Review: Merlin The Return". Total Film. Retrieved 7 December 2012.