Merlin and the Book of Beasts is a typical Sci-Fi Channel original movie. It has awful acting, cheap-looking production design, and some of the worst CG effects viewers will ever see. Merlin has been an enduring legend and there are many notable incarnations worth checking out. The latest is a series from The BBC called Merlin, and is something of a new spin on the legend, taking its cues from the popular Smallville series. It’s bright and entertaining, unlike the trainwreck of a movie reviewed here.
Merlin and the Book of Beasts wants to show us the “dark side” of a very cheesy looking Camelot. King Arthur is gone (lucky guy) and a weird sorcerer has unleashed a boring reign of terror across the land. A bitter and brooding Merlin (played by an embarrassed looking James Callis of the superior Battlestar Galactica update) and the remaining knights must defeat the sorcerer and his various cheesy monsters, done in truly hideous CGI. The DVD release looks fine but gets only one extra. A behind the scenes featurette that adds almost nothing to the movie.
Merlin and the Book of Beasts is one of the worst movies of the year. Viewers should check out the series Merlin, now airing on the NBC Network for a fresh and hip spin on the old legend. The Book of Beasts is a snoozefest.
DVD Grade: D-
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folkdude01
Aug 19, 2009 -
Just saw the trailer. It was filled with cheesy lines and bad CGI as you said. There was a shot of people fleeing from bats that was really awful looking.
“What doesn’t kill you makes a good story”
“What does kill you….makes you legend”
Cricket
Aug 20, 2009 -
It seems like Hollywood can never get the King Arthur saga right.
First Knight Sucked
King Arthur missed the point
Merlin with Sam Neil is probably the best but that looked cheap as well.
John Spartan
Aug 22, 2009 -
Merlin with Sam is the best, but you can’t really compare it to Hollywood since it’s made for TV. And that’s good.
ccfmds
Aug 22, 2009 -
I like more of a “fantasy” take on Merlin myself, which is one reason why the Sam Neil miniseries was so good. Who wants a “war movie’ take on King Arthur and Merlin ? I want magic and fantasy.
alim
May 20, 2011 -
…and even though James Callis (Merlin) was born in London, for some reason he takes on a Jamaican – rather than British – accent for about ninety percent of the movie. Rasta-Merlin is mildly hilarious, but not really worth watching.