Charlie Hunnman stars in a scene from the movie "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword." The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults. (CNS/Warner Bros.)

By Catholic News Service

Ponderous action fantasy in which, once grown, the monarch of the title (Charlie Hunnam) who was dispossessed of his rights as a child and raised as a brawling street urchin by the inhabitants of a London brothel, uses Excalibur to battle the evil uncle (Jude Law) who long ago usurped his throne.

Together with his script collaborators, Joby Harold and Lionel Wigram, director and co-writer Guy Ritchie works the occasional witty exchange into the dialogue. But otherwise his film is a grueling ordeal of nonstop noisy fighting.

Possibly acceptable for mature teens. Pervasive combat and other violence with little blood, a prostitution theme, brief partial nudity, fleeting sexual humor, at least one rough term, occasional crass language The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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