I attended a free screening in exchange for this honest Arthur the King movie review.
ARTHUR THE KING is an action-adventure movie presented by Lionsgate, in association with eOne. It is based on the book Arthur: The Dog Who Crossed a Jungle to Find a Home. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Simu Liu, Juliet Rylance, Nathalie Emmanuel, Ali Suliman, Bear Grylls as himself, and Paul Guilfoyle, it’s a family-friendly film rated PG-13 for language.
Michael Light is an adventure racer on the pro circuit who has never won a championship race. The call to try one last time for a championship pulls hard, and with his wife’s blessing, he gathers a crew with the endurance and heart to win a race set in the Dominican Republic—Adventure Racing World Championship. Not having a lot of sponsorship funds, he uses some of his own money, and the team arrives with little time to acclimate to the conditions of the jungle.
The team members each have a reason for being there and have something to prove to themselves. It’s a grueling competition covering 435 miles in 10 days, which includes legs of running, biking, and kayaking in the movie.
At the same time, we see street dogs and the life they live, especially one dog. He’s a loner, but he seems to have heart. We follow him around the city and see him on his travels, but his character is not narrated like some movies.
At one of the stops, the dog approaches Michael, and he feeds him some meatballs. The dog is in bad shape, and the dog seems to appreciate the gesture. Michael and the team start another leg of the race never thinking they’d see the dog again. Many miles later in the dark, the dog barks and gets in their way, saving them from going off a cliff. At this point, they’re very appreciative of the dog, and the dog begins running along with them. It’s a miraculous meeting, because of the distance they’ve covered and the condition of the dog.
Noting that the dog saved their lives, he becomes a team mascot of sorts, and they name him Arthur, after the legendary king. They cover a lot of ground together, and since the athletes wear trackers, they develop a following on social media. Everyone is invested in Arthur.
When they get to the kayaking leg, there isn’t really room in the boat, and leaving Arthur behind is heartbreaking. Till Arthur jumps in the water and tries to catch up to them…
The movie is a journey of resilience, hope, perseverance, and endurance. It is full of so much heart and soul. The bond between the team and Arthur, especially with Michael, is deeply felt, and you can’t help but root for all during the race.
What happens after the race will pull at your heartstrings, but I can assure you, this movie has a happy ending.
The movie differs from the book in setting, and the main character Michael is an American in the movie, but that is expected in adaptations.
ARTHUR THE KING is an uplifting movie, perfect for taking the family over the spring break holidays. I would suggest it’s better for older children because of language and some tense moments, but otherwise, it’s family-friendly for all. Between the talent and theme of overcoming adversity, the movie is a much-needed respite from everyday life. The bond between the team and Arthur is strong, and it reminds us that sometimes, the things we thing we want aren’t as important when hard choices need to be made. It’s a wonderful underdog movie, pun intended, heartwarming, and with all the feels.
How to Watch Arthur the King
Arthur the King is available to watch in theaters on March 15, 2024. You can currently Rent or Buy Arthur the King on Amazon.
FAQs About Arthur the King the Movie
Is Arthur the King a true story? Yes, Arthur the King is based on the true story of Mikael Lindnord, an adventure racer, and his dog Arthur. The film draws inspiration from Lindnord’s 2016 book Arthur – The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home.
Is the real Arthur the dog still alive? No. Arthur the dog died on December 8, 2020. It’s estimated he was between 11 and 13 years old when he died.
Arthur the King Official Trailer
Connect with Arthur The King Online
Official Site: https://www.arthurtheking.movie
Instagram: @ArthurTheKingMovie
Twitter: @ArthurTheKing
Facebook: @ArthurTheKingMovie
Great review!
Thank you!