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 | 22 December 2000 |
Running time | 90 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Box office | £20,868 (UK)[1] |
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]
For 1500 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.
The children will help cope with Mordred, showing dexterity and courage.
Miss Maxwell (the character of Tia Carrere) is tied up at the end, and taken with her to the Middle Ages against her will, that is, in the role of a slave. Her further fate - execution or slavery - remains behind the scenes. But in the last dialogue, a hint is made about her future sexual coercion and use (the warrior straightens the bound woman's hair, puts his arm around her shoulders and whispers her "we'll have fun together").
Critical 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]