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Justin and the Knights of Valour
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Wikipedia article
'Justin and the Knights of Valour' (Spanish: 'Justin y la espada del valor') is a 2013 computer-animated fantasy film whose working title was 'Goleor: The Scales and the Sword'. It is the story of a boy named Justin, who wants to become a knight like his grandfather Sir Roland. It was produced, created, developed and animated by Kandor Graphics, the second of their two animated films (the first was the 2008 film, 'The Missing Lynx'). It was produced by Antonio Banderas, Marcelino Almansa, Kerry Fulton and Ralph Kamp. It was written by Matthew Jacobs and Manuel Sicilia with music by Ilan Eshkeri. It was edited by Claudio Hernndez and directed by Manuel Sicilia. Sony Pictures Entertainment distributed it in Spain, and Entertainment One in the United Kingdom.
The film premiered on 13 September 2013. It received negative reviews, criticizing the writing, characters and pacing, though the voice acting and music received praise. It flopped at the box-office only grossing $19 million off of a $30 million budget. Rotten Tomatoes reported a 13% approval rating for the film with an average rating of 3.93/10 based on 15 reviews.
Plot
Justin lives in the kingdom of Gabylonia, where he dreams of being one of the Knights of Valour, like his grandfather, Sir Roland. Justin notices that his grandfather's sword is missing and decides to find it as his first quest. His grandmother gives him a key which originally belonged to his grandfather and tells him to go to an abbey, where three wise monks will train him. After saying goodbye to his crush Lara, Justin embarks on his quest to become a knight. Along the way he meets Talia, a weary barmaid who works at the Broken Eagle Inn, and a quirky wizard called Melquiades.
Justin finds the abbey and trains with the monks, Braulio, Legantir and Blucher. During the training, the monks receive news that Sir Heraclio, the banished former knight who killed Justin's grandfather has returned from exile and is rounding up an army to seek retribution on the Queen for outlawing knights. After a near-fatal accident, the monks end the training. Blucher gives Justin his sword, telling him that he will need it.
Back at home, Talia is disheartened when she learns that Justin has feelings for Lara. Justin finds out that Lara has fallen in love with Sir Clorex, who no one knows is really an armor polisher posing as a knight. Sir Clorex and Lara share a seemingly romantic moment together, until he kidnaps Lara and rides off with her. After some encouragement and persuasion, Reginald accepts his son's desire to become a knight and allows Justin to stand up against Heraclio. Justin, Talia and Melquiades go to Heraclio's hideout, where they find Lara being held captive by Sir Clorex and Heraclio. The three effect a daring rescue.
The Queen then gives Justin the title of Sir Justin and praises him for his bravery. She decides to re-establish the knights by signing a new contract. Justin tells Talia that he wants her to continue accompanying him on quests, as he has realized that she is the girl of his dreams. Talia happily accepts and kisses him, much to Lara's dismay. At the abbey, the monks create a statue of Justin in the newly expanded Hall of Knights.
Cast
* Freddie Highmore as Justin, a teenage boy who dreams of becoming a knight like his grandfather before him. Justin soon sets out on a quest to achieve his dream. He is shy, lacks confidence, has a slight build, and is clumsy. However, he's also brave, determined, true of heart, smart, and rather handsome.
* Saoirse Ronan as Talia, a teenage girl who is a former barmaid that comes from a large family. Tired of her old job and seeking the thrill of an adventure, Talia soon joins Justin, eventually falling deeply in love with him. She is beautiful for her age with long, brown hair, is skilled at fighting, quick-witted, loves adventure, and cares for others greatly.
* James Cosmo as Blucher, one of the monks, a former knight and Sir Roland's best friend.
* Charles Dance as Legantir, the head monk.
* Tamsin Egerton as Lara, Justin's former crush and the daughter of the kingdom's pioneer economic. She has blonde hair, has many dresses and makeup, and is rather selfish and insensitive to others feelings.
* Antonio Banderas as Sir Clorex, an armour polisher who poses as a vain knight.
* Rupert Everett as Sota, a skilled and brave swordsman who serves Heraclio as his right-hand man.
* Barry Humphries as Braulio, a monk and inventor.
* Alfred Molina as Reginald, Justin's father. He is the chief lawyer of the kingdom and vehemently against knights. He wishes for his son to become a lawyer like him.
* Mark Strong as Heraclio, a former knight who betrayed his kingdom and murdered Sir Roland.
* Angela Lansbury as The Witch, an old wise woman who provides the futures. She is skilled dark magic and works with Heraclio.
* David Walliams as Melquiades / Karolius, a quirky wizard with a bizarre split personality that accompanies Justin and Talia on their travels.
* Julie Walters as Grandma Lilly, Justin's grandmother and Reginald's mother.
* Olivia Williams as the Queen of Gabylonia, the governor of the kingdom. Following her husband's murder, she outlawed all knights, hoping to prevent any future conflict, but now realizing her actions have left her kingdom and people with none to defend them.
* Richard O'Brien as Innkeeper.
References
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