LAST KNIGHTS DVD (2014)

SYNOPSIS: Academy Award nominee Clive Owen delivers an electrifying performance as a fallen warrior who rises against a corrupt and sadistic ruler to avenge his dishonoured master.

MOVIE REVIEW:

Everyone is clamoring for more Game of Thrones these days that they forgot absurd violence and nudity wasn’t part of the draw in those classic action movies.

Last Knights attempts to bring viewers to the past where movies feature honorable knights who serve their master with such loyalty and pride that they will avenge their master’s wrongful death even if their own heads will roll. This is a medieval action flick where heroic acts are discussed and carried out and no gratuitous violence and unnecessary nudity appear for the sake of appearing.

Call it old fashioned or familiar, the plot has it that a Lord Bartok (Morgan Freeman) after refusing to bribe and subsequently hurt a corrupted minister Geza Mott (Aksel Hennie) is being ordered to be execute by his own loyal retainer and bodyguard, Raiden (Clive Owen). This of course triggers a course of avenging plan by Raiden and his fellow knights including his Lieutenant Cortez (Cliff Curtis) and young disciple, Gabriel (Noah Silver). 

Even though the movie takes its time to take out Geza’s head and we are not exactly warned of Raiden’s eventual plans except watching his ongoing dispirited self wondering around pubs and brothels, Japanese director Kazuaki Kiriya (Casshern, Goemon) manages to assemble an international cast of fine actors including Peyman Moaadi (A Separation), Ahn Sung-kee (Sector 7) and Tsuyoshi Ihara (13 Assassins) to keep the generic narrative going. 

Freeman shines in whatever limited material and screentime you gave him and Owen is simply incredible as the fallen knight. Unfortunately, both actors have very little screentime together and that’s perhaps its Kazuaki’s biggest mistake. Swedish actor Aksel Hennie is particularly menacing as the obsessed Geza and we genuinely hope to see more of Hennie’s in future mainstream productions.

To some extent, Last Knights is as predictable as any sword and dagger flicks. The unknown era and setting doesn’t add up to the story arc and the action choreography lacked an impressive edge. However, credits should be given to the lush environment created despite obvious limited funds and the performance of the amazing cast. It’s an all-out old-school experience, which might appeal to a select group of moviegoers.  

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Behind the Scenes of LAST KNIGHTS Featurette lasts 20 minutes and delves into the fight choreography, costuming, production design aspects of the movie. 

A Look at the Special Effects of LAST KNIGHTS is a 5 minutes pre-viz showcase of the effects done.

Main talents liked Clive Owen, Morgan Freeman, Cliff Curtis and Kaz Kiriya are interviewed in Cast and Crew Interviews.

The Theatrical Trailer and other Lionsgate Trailers are included. 

AUDIO/VISUAL:

Even though the director prefers to employ natural lighting, the entire movie is drabbed in icy blue and gray tones although it still looks good on DVD. Imaging is not a problem and the Dolby Digital 5.1 provides lots of directional sound elements when it comes to the action sequences. Otherwise, the dialogue is clean and clear. 

MOVIE RATING:

DVD RATING :

Review by Linus Tee