In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale
Summary
Jason Stathamis one of the most democratic wizard working in Hollywood today , yet his vocation has n’t always been sheer sailing . Between major blockbuster like theFast and Furiousfranchise , The Megseries , and standalone hits likeThe Beekeeper , Statham has built a well - realise reputation on the back of hugely enjoyable , crowd - pleasing action . But Statham ’s strength is not necessarily consistency . While he ’s proven his ability to spearhead pop undertaking , Statham is apparently just as adequate to of picking dud . Among his pack of vital and commercial flops , one Statham motion-picture show stands head and shoulders above the rest .
In the Name of the Kingis available to lease on Amazon Video .
2007’sIn the Name of the Kingwas , by any reckoning , a disaster . The gamey - fantasy heroic poem has the dubious honor of beingJason Statham ’s lowest - rank movie on Rotten Tomatoes . With a measly 4 % positive reviews , the movie received heavy critique on releasefor its preposterous plot , flaky dialogue , wooden performances , and derivative storytelling . In many case , this consensus would be enough to limit a movie to the shabu plenty of account . However , for establish whether Jason Statham ’s " worst motion-picture show of all time " really was as forged as most people think , I decided that , in 2024 , it was metre to revisit the infamous turkey .
Despite being intimately known for his exploits in activity moving picture , Jason Statham has sport in several projects across a variety of different musical genre .
9In The Name Of The King Deserves Its Terrible Reputation
4% Might Be Too High A Score
It ’s sometimes the case that once - panned movies undergo a dramatic review with the benefit of hindsight . It ’s secure to say thatIn the Name of the Kingwill not enjoy the same reclamation . 17 year on from its waiver , the movie remains one of the most confusing , poorly - executed , and unlimited bizarre cinematic experience it ’s possible to sit down through . Even for someone like me with a particular affection for movies that toe the parentage between bad and grandness , In the Name of the Kingtramples over any redeeming qualities the lionise videogame source material might have had .
From fiber who deform up and vanish with no introduction , to scoundrel who have no backstory , to lore that falls aside under the flimsy examination , In the Name of the Kingis a text edition instance of how not to construct a high - phantasy narrative .
Everything about the celluloid is unconventional . From character who turn up and vanish with no insertion , to villains who have no backstory , to lore that falls apart under the slightest scrutiny , In the Name of the Kingis a textbook example of how not to make a high - phantasy narrative . coalesce with special effects that front chintzy ( despite a $ 60 million budget ) and actors sleepwalking through scenes , the whole product is a catalogue of error , make it easy to see why it attracted such vital ire . And yet , watchingIn the Name of the Kingis not all big .
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8In The Name Of The King Is Never Boring
Unlike Many Bad Movies, It Remains Entertaining
The biggest criminal offence a spoilt film can intrust is being dull . Audiences will forgive a film a passel , so long as there ’s enough on - screen natural process to warrant the disbursement of a theater ticket . Critical washout like theTransformersmovies are living proof of this . WhileIn the Name of the Kingis not in the same league as the wildly successful Michael Bay - lead serial , there ’s no denying that the messy portmanteau of legal action fix pieces , unwittingly hilarious dialogue , and strange reference reach the movie incredibly engaging .
The story moves along at an incredible pace . Within the first few minutes , audiences have been introduced to Ray Liotta ’s sinister villain , Jason Statham ’s stoically expansive " Farmer " , and a legion of other fictitious character whose background remain shrouded in mystery for much of the runtime . While what ’s really happening in the story is baffling , In the Name of the Kingwastes no time in sending Statham into battle against the horrific Krug , before he goes off on an epical dangerous undertaking , featuring woodnymphs . All this play out against the backcloth of political scheming that would putGame of Thronesto ignominy , give viewers raft to chew over .
Jason Statham might be best known as an action star , but his most iconic movies show how much more he has to provide with every rewatch .
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7Jason Statham’s Worst Movie Has Arguably His Best-Ever Cast
In The Name Of The King Has Some Incredible Talent
Before watchingIn the Name of the King , I was expecting to pass most of my time in the company ofJason Statham ’s rip off action bomber . And yet , the truth is that Farmer is just one lowly sprocket in the movie ’s complex machine . Although he ’s ostensibly the lead , Statham share the screen withacting heavyweights like Ron Perlman , Ray Liotta , Burt Reynolds , and John Rhys Davies . Perhaps even more surprising are the ilk of Matthew Lillard , Kristanna Loken ( best known for her leading role inTerminator 3 ) , andMeet Joe Blackstar Claire Forlani .
… even with his more successful motion picture taken into account , it ’s hard to argue thatIn the Name of the Kingdoesn’t present one of the 57 - class - sure-enough ’s most impressive accumulation of costars .
give his involvement in theFast and Furiousseries , as well as several other successful franchises , Statham is no stranger to portion out the screen with an ensemble cast . However , even with his more successful movies taken into account , it ’s hard to argue thatIn the Name of the Kingdoesn’t constitute one of the 57 - year - old ’s most impressive appeal of costars . The fact that it ’s materialise in a flick with such a pitiful repute only take a leak it more remarkable .
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6In The Name Of The King Is More Entertaining Than Statham’s Other Bad Films
It’s Definitely Easier To Watch Than Many Of Them
With its 4 % grade , In the Name of the Kingranks at the bottom ofStatham ’s extensive filmography – at least , according to Rotten Tomatoes . However , the nearer you front at the titles that supposedly rank above the movie , the more unfair this position seems . WhileIn the Name of the Kingis by no mean an underappreciated jewel , it ’s definitely a more gratifying viewing experience than other Statham Republic of Turkey .
Jason Statham ’s Five Lowest - Rated Movies
Movie
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score
In the Name of the King
4 %
13
7 %
Turn It Up
10 %
War
13 %
The One
Compared to project like13andTurn It Up , In the Name of the Kingseems much more entertaining . Although its ludicrous tale and high - illusion narrative make it relatively easy to bemock , there ’s no doubt thatthere is more for audience to enjoy in the 2007Dungeon Siegeadaptation . It even slip away higher - rate Statham movies in the entertainment stakes , such as the notoriously ploddingRevolver . If fun was the only factor in find a film ’s success , I would certainly reconsiderIn the Name of the King ’s location in Statham ’s career .
5In The Name Of The King Is A Warning To Other Fantasy Movies
It Proves What Can Go Wrong
Perhaps because of the success and legacy of Peter Jackson’sThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy , we have a slightly off-key idea of how workable eminent - illusion stories are on the big screen . The ease with which Jackson crafted his cohesive vision for Middle - earth depart many fantasy buff feeling that take a similar approach to other stories was relatively aboveboard . In the Name of the Kingacts as a welcome reminder thatfantasy storytelling is anything but simple .
… In the Name of the Kinglaunches into its story with all the nicety of a Jason Statham karate kick .
WhereasThe Lord of the Ringsturns Middle - earth into a believable setting with carefully conceive theatrical role introductions and lore explanation , In the Name of the Kinglaunches into its story with all the subtlety of a Jason Statham karate kicking . The propulsiveness of the story ( which simultaneously wee it extremely entertaining ) makes it almost impossible to fully grasp what ’s going on . The rules of the flick ’s world , such as the role of magic , are never adequately explained , highlight how fantastical concepts can quickly snowball into topsy-turvyness in the wrong hands .
4In The Name Of The King Affected Statham’s Career
He Has Been Much More Conservative
Jason Statham has historically , and likely always will , prioritize activity film . BeforeIn the Name of the King , he had demonstrate his credentials with star roles inThe Transportermovies , set the groundwork for next succeeder . However , while action was his breadstuff and butter , Statham also feature in a compass of other genres and projects . At the start of his career , he appeared in the slickcrime comediesSnatchandLock , Stock , and Two Smoking Barrels , as well as more eccentric projects like John Carpenter’sGhosts of Mars , the wild-eyed dramaLondon , and Vinnie Jones ' sports comedyMean auto .
Roles like these exemplify a surprising diversity in Statham ’s pre - In the Name of the Kingcareer . However , in the years since the movie ’s release , he arguably became much more conservative in his roles , retreating back to the comfort cover of traditional activity . Aside from a voice role inGnomeo & Juliet , it arguably was n’t until the 2015 comedy movieSpythat Statham dared to do something different . While it ’s not clear to which the nonstarter of his in high spirits - phantasy debut persuadedStatham to concentrate on action mechanism moving-picture show , the correlation is interesting .
3In The Name Of The King Proves Statham’s Star Power
He Is One Of The Few Highlights Of The Film
Even thoughIn the Name of the Kinghas many , many flaws , the movie is a cracking representative of why Jason Statham was designate for stardom . Despite the nonsensical dialog and inexplicable story , Statham stay on a magnetized presence throughout . While it ’s clear from his functioning that he ’s just as confused about what ’s croak on as the audience , he is much more committed than many of his costars .
The flick also plays to Statham ’s lastingness by giving him plenty to do on the natural process front . The first battle against the Krug , for instance , are ademonstration of Statham ’s endowment as a physical performer , with most of the spectacle being for the most part special effects destitute . While there are definitely betterJason Statham action mechanism movies , I found it tell that he was capable to shine even in a function like this .
2In The Name Of The King Is A Forerunner To More Successful Projects
It Paved The Way For Future Successes
Just asIn the Name of the Kingcompares unfavorably to seminal genre releases likeThe Lord of the Rings , the flick may have inadvertently ply a warning to subsequent phantasy projects . Thematically , for instance , it ’s very gentle to see how the motion-picture show may have been an inspiration for something likeThe Witcher . Both were introduce by popular videogames , and both are set in complicated mankind that require equal explanation for the rest of the storey to bring home the bacon . It ’s not laborious to see howThe Witcher ’s producer might have seem to get a line lessons from the 2007 film ’s failureto the benefit of their own version .
… when there is such a readable warning from history about what can go wrongly , it ’s notable that later high - fantasy version have taken a drastically different approach .
Another example of a fantasy succeeder story post - In the Name of the KingisDungeons & Dragons : Honor Among Thieves . Although the 2023 film disappointed at the box authority , it took a very dissimilar glide path to the Statham moving picture , contract its tale and build up a believable creation without too many confusing narrative tangent . Again , there is no expressed connection between the projects . However , when there is such a clear warning from story about what can go wrong , it ’s notable that afterward high - fancy adaptations have taken a drastically different glide path .
1In The Name Of The King Is Incredibly Enjoyable
Just Because It’s Bad Doesn’t Mean It Should Be Forgotten
For all its faults , In the Name of the Kingis one of the most ironically pleasurable pic I ’ve ever see to it . Even though the compounding of gamey - phantasy and entertainingly risky flick - qualification is something I have a peculiar flaccid spot for , it ’s voiceless for anyone to argue that the Statham picture show does n’t constitute a good time . The storytelling is so committed and so ludicrous that it becomes very difficult to front away . As presently as any particular scene divagate towards becoming tedious , the legal action garner pace , send viewers to a all unlike setting and taradiddle . It ’s a whirlwind approach that sustain everyone on their toes .
In the Name of the Kingis not a ripe movie . All the critique level at it by contemporary critics are more than justified , and its legacy can not be rehabilitate . And yet , in all ofJason Statham ’s wide-ranging and impressive filmography , it would be a misunderstanding to rank it alongside other , much more forgettable failures .
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