Kid In King Arthur's Court, A MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: +3

Based on Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, this fun movie tells about the adventures of 14-year-old Calvin Fuller (Thomas Ian Nicholas) in the mythical kingdom of Camelot in 12th century England. During a baseball game in his hometown in present day California, Calvin is magically transported back in time by Merlin the magician to help King Arthur (Joss Ackland) save his failing kingdom and ward off the treacherous villain, Lord Belasco (Art Melik). Belasco and his henchman immediately set out to destroy Calvin and take over Arthur's kingdom. Arthur's followers try unsuccessfuly to train Calvin to be a knight warrior. He does find a willing ally in the king's teenager daughter, Katey (Paloma Baeza). One comical incident follows another as the story moves to the climatic jousting tournament. The victor of the tournament wins the hand of the King's older daughter in marriage and eventually the kingdom itself. The film sometimes loses its momentum and is rather predictable, but plenty of action and comical antics make it entertaining. It will make a fun movie outing for the whole family.

You would expect a G-rated film to be free of offensive elements, and to a large extent this one is. A few flaws, however, include two moderately crude words in comical quips and one subdued profanity. There's quite a bit of hand fighting with swords and sticks, as well as jousting battles with warriors wielding lances on horseback. These are not excessive, but in one encounter designed to shock and amuse, Calvin kicks Belasco in the groin. Merlin casts a magical spell to transport Calvin to Camelot and Calvin talks to Merlin's spirit, but these are more akin to fantasy than demonic occultism. Although Calvin and Katey become attracted to each other, the film is free of any sexual content. Calvin willingly does his part to defeat the evil Belasco, but looks forward to rejoining his loving family back home. A KID IN KING ARTHUR'S COURT has some minor flaws, but lives up to its G rating rather well.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: Buena Vista (Disney), 350 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521