Arthur the King is a heartwarming story about defying the odds, believing in yourself, and never giving up on your team. Animal lovers will fall in love with the unbreakable connection between man and dog. Wondering if Arthur the King is kid-friendly? What ages is Arthur the King best suited for? Is Arthur the King too scary for kids? I’m breaking down all of the thematic elements, including its PG-13 rating, in my Arthur the King Parents Guide and Movie Review. Here’s what parents need to know to help YOU decide if it’s appropriate for kids. As always, no spoilers!
Arthur the King Parents Guide + Movie Review
Based on a true story, Arthur the King is a true tale of inspiration. Michael Light (Mark Wahlberg) is a professional adventure racer who is looking for one more shot at winning his dream. Light is joined by three other teammates, (Simu Liu, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Ali Suliman), who are all competing with the hope of bringing home the win.
The story flows seamlessly, with no lulls or downtime. It’s very much action-packed and adrenaline racing. The characters continuously find themselves in unknown and dangerous circumstances, and there were multiple times I had to remind myself to breathe.
While not over-the-top, the cinematography is well represented. From the lush, picturesque landscapes, to the rugged mountain terrain, and rippling waters, you will find yourself fully immersed right alongside the team.
The only downfall of Arthur the King, is the dog doesn’t join the story sooner. I felt like I was impatiently awaiting his big arrival, and it took too long to get there. The best scenes of the film happen between Arthur and Light. The loyalty shown between dog and man is truly beautiful.
Is Arthur the King Kid-Friendly? Here’s Your Parents Guide:
Arthur the King has an MPA rating of PG-13 for some strong language. It has a runtime of 1 hour 30 minutes. We know all too well that films about dogs can be very emotional or even traumatic for children. How does Arthur the King measure up? Here’s what parents need to know before going to see Arthur the King with their family.
Language
I think my biggest issue with Arthur the King is its unnecessary use of crude language. Moviegoers can expect to hear the following lookout words: Goddamn, bitch, d!ck, shit, damn, ass, Hell, asshole, balls, nuts…and they even got in their one allowed F bomb. For a family film, I really don’t feel these words are needed.
Violence
There are many mentions of animal cruelty and a few near death experiences. I always feel any time an animal is shown in distress, it’s harder to watch than it being a human. I think this is because, dogs especially, are so pure and innocent. You can’t help but feel for their sweet souls.
The film is about adventure racing, so although there isn’t necessarily violence portrayed, some of the conditions the characters are placed are dangerous. There are also numerous moments of peril shown.
Mature Content
One of the characters reveals that a close family member is dying of cancer. Another character vomits profusely, and some minor injuries are shown. Again, animal cruelty is discussed, and there are near death experiences.
Does the Dog Die in Arthur the King?
While this is absolutely a spoiler, Arthur the King is based on a true story, so this answer is already readily available on the internet. However, I am happy to report that the dog does not die in Arthur the King.
Arthur the King Age Recommendation
Taking the above into consideration, I would recommend Arthur the King for mature ages 10 and up. There are some great life lessons that are great for children to witness tucked within this film. However, parents need to know the abundance of crude language, and the emotions that may occur seeing a lovable dog in distress.
Overall Thoughts
Arthur the King delivers emotional beats, and an adrenaline inducing, heartwarming story. It’s a film about resilience, sacrifice, perseverance, and that winning isn’t everything. The life lessons in Arthur the King are relatable and something we can all be reminded of. This movie might not win any awards, but you cannot deny that it embodies so much heart.
Arthur the King Synopsis
Over the course of ten days and 435 miles, an unbreakable bond is forged between pro adventure racer Michael Light (Mark Wahlberg) and a scrappy street dog companion dubbed Arthur. Based on an incredible true story, ARTHUR THE KING follows Light, desperate for one last chance to win, as he convinces a sponsor to back him and a team of athletes (Simu Liu, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Ali Suliman) for the Adventure Racing World Championship in the Dominican Republic. As the team is pushed to their outer limits of endurance in the race, Arthur redefines what victory, loyalty and friendship truly mean.
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