Outlaw King

In 2008, Netflix proved that it is also able of producing high-budget period blockbusters with good actors and a skilled director. One such proof is Outlaw King, which more or less picks up where Braveheart left off. Even though I had some trouble to understand who is who in the beginning, it wasn’t that difficult after all. The Scots were fighting for their independence, and Chris Pine proved that the older he gets, the better the performances he delivers. A great movie! Outlaw King might be the best period movie of 2018. Some scenes are borderline genius. (31/12/2018)

David Mackenzie is awesome and after Hell or High Water he serves up the best historical film of the decade with the excellent Chris Pine improving film by film. Absolutely everything works here, the accurate history, the spectacular production design, the impressive costumes and sets (gorgeous castles), the naked queen is not missing, the impressive milking of emotions throughout the film, and most importantly, the spectacular battles where blood and bodies are certainly not spared. The scene with the horses is an absolute highlight of the genre and will probably make horse lovers cry. High praise also goes to Douglas, who steals most of the scenes for himself and is horrifically brutal in them. A wonderful and near-perfect film and experience, where my only regret is that I couldn't see it on the big screen. One of the best films of the year. After a second viewing the enthusiasm has waned slightly, but still good. 80% (12/11/2018)

An impeccable historical film, just impeccable. I really have nothing to criticize, although I would appreciate it if the film was longer, because few recent films deserve it as much as this one. It’s all good, though. Even so, it is an attractive story with a tremendous gradient, constantly gaining pace and dramatism, funny in such a “guy" way, but it’s definitely not only for lovers of medieval battle films. The film is still about the characters, and thanks to the excellent actors, we also care about them. Chris Pine has a bit of Connery in him, Aaron Taylor-Johnson is madly wild beyond recognition, the virulent Florence Pugh hasn't let me down even once, and he didn't this time either... I would compare it with Braveheart and I see the two films at almost the same level. (14/02/2021)

Everyone whose mouth waters over Game of Thrones should have a look at the final bloodbath in the marshes to see how it’s done properly. Pine is excellent with effortless acting and the romantic storyline with Florence Pough works well. A brutally realistic view of Scottish history in which every shot of London opens with William Wallace’s rotting head impaled on a stake. Fantastic camerawork and nice Scottish songs. P.S: Probably the first role in which I thought Aaron Taylor-Johnson was any good. DOUGLAAAS!!!! (26/04/2019)

100 minutes of alternating epic, bloody and generously designed scenes and dialogues, which are simply a bit of cheesy historical TV series. Mackenzie aspires to the dark medieval carnation, which he thrives on in luxury crowd scenes and some quadratures of Scots, but other times he uses superficial adornments and Gaelic kitsch. Nevertheless, I like Pine a lot. He's not an exaggerated macho caricature, but rather a guy who has been going after what he wants in a calm and steadfastness manner for some time. It may seem strange to some people that this is the leader people follow - I understand them. I would follow him, too. Btw, Aaron Taylor-Johnson seems to have a taste for raw beef for the first time in his career. (10/11/2018)