The Last Kingdom is a great series, a hidden gem that did not receive the love it deserved. It had fantastic characters, a well written story, great action, emotional weight and was perfectly paced. Seven Kings Must Die had none of these.
This movie was not bad by any means, it is still enjoyable, but it was a complete mess. Everything happens way too quickly; it jumps between events without giving the viewers time to process what just happened. The editing, the directing and even the sets were off. This movie should have been season 6 of TLK, but instead it was condensed into a 2 hour flick that was a shell of what it could have been. If this had actually been season 6, it would have been the best season of the series, and a very powerful ending. The last scenes of this film hit hard, and if you were a fan of these characters, I dare you not to swell. But that's all this really has going for it. It could have been amazing as a season. The main villain was very smart, and his whole plan was masterfully put, but all of it was for nothing, because it was too rushed.
Several characters who were important, and yet still alive by season 5, were not even mentioned. Where was Uthred's daughter? Were was the Queen Mother? Where was Hild? So many great characters just pushed aside with no explanation.
The battle scenes in this movie were also very poorly done. There was no real thrill like in the original show. Everything was shaky and hard to see. The set pieces were also poor. It's almost like they had the budget of a TV season instead of a movie. This doesn't feel like a film at all.
I know this sounds like I am bashing this movie hard, and while it was very underwhelming, it also has its moments. Like I mentioned above, the last few moments are powerful and hit the emotions. The music is amazing, as it always is. Uthred and his crew are as great as ever. The story, while rushed was interesting.
Overall Seven Kings Must Die was a mess, a disappointing ending to a great series. It doesn't ruin the series, thankfully, but it won't leave it's mark.
5/10.
This movie was not bad by any means, it is still enjoyable, but it was a complete mess. Everything happens way too quickly; it jumps between events without giving the viewers time to process what just happened. The editing, the directing and even the sets were off. This movie should have been season 6 of TLK, but instead it was condensed into a 2 hour flick that was a shell of what it could have been. If this had actually been season 6, it would have been the best season of the series, and a very powerful ending. The last scenes of this film hit hard, and if you were a fan of these characters, I dare you not to swell. But that's all this really has going for it. It could have been amazing as a season. The main villain was very smart, and his whole plan was masterfully put, but all of it was for nothing, because it was too rushed.
Several characters who were important, and yet still alive by season 5, were not even mentioned. Where was Uthred's daughter? Were was the Queen Mother? Where was Hild? So many great characters just pushed aside with no explanation.
The battle scenes in this movie were also very poorly done. There was no real thrill like in the original show. Everything was shaky and hard to see. The set pieces were also poor. It's almost like they had the budget of a TV season instead of a movie. This doesn't feel like a film at all.
I know this sounds like I am bashing this movie hard, and while it was very underwhelming, it also has its moments. Like I mentioned above, the last few moments are powerful and hit the emotions. The music is amazing, as it always is. Uthred and his crew are as great as ever. The story, while rushed was interesting.
Overall Seven Kings Must Die was a mess, a disappointing ending to a great series. It doesn't ruin the series, thankfully, but it won't leave it's mark.
5/10.