By Ben Wright (@iamzavagno | www.xgeeks.co.uk)
This review is spoiler-free.
I am very late to The Last Kingdom party! The show had been on my Watch List since it only had one series attached to its name! It was only after finishing the final series, earlier this year (2023), that I was made aware of the fact that my time with these characters would come again, and very soon, with the one-off movie The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die!
I loved the series, I loved the characters, and while I think the ending has a satisfying conclusion, I was never going to turn down another helping of Uhtred and co!
My biggest worry going into The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die, was that it would cheapen the ending that we got in the series, or it was just another story that we had already seen before. This isn’t a cash-grab or half-hearted attempt for one more battle, The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die is very much an epilogue, but an epilogue that offers meaning, and purpose and enhances the story within the main series.
In terms of the story, I think Martha Hillier did an outstanding job in adapting this story and delivering a narrative that acts as a continuation of the series, but in a way that does not cheapen the ending we had previously. This is a ‘soft’ continuation, rather than a completely new story that has just been bolted on at the end. It doesn’t feel out of place or alien to the main series, it feels like a natural next step in the story, acting as an extremely exciting and compelling epilogue. I really enjoyed the themes of the narrative, from the struggle for power and the cost of war to the importance of loyalty and the complexities of family – all these wonderful elements were beautifully brought to life by the talented cast.
Another interesting element, in terms of the characters, is the lack of them! There are plenty of notable characters missing in the movie, who played a significant part in the main series. I can only imagine this is due to the fact that they only have under two hours to tell their story! The later series definitely felt more far-reaching and character and narrative layered, whereas this was stripped back and refocused on the relationship between Uhtred and Aethelstan. While it would have been nice to see all of the surviving characters return, I can also understand the reasoning behind omitting them.
As for the film’s ending? I think was an incredibly brave decision and one that pays off in such a satisfying way. It was emotional, it was heartwarming and it gave me chills. A fitting end to this incredible saga!
The production has never been better! The locations, costumes, extras… everything just looked and felt amazing. From the stunning visuals to the emotional score, The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die delivers in every way imaginable.
Overall, The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die is an exceptional epilogue to a phenomenal saga packed with impeccable writing, a gripping storyline, and unforgettable characters and action! – Destiny is all!
X-Geeks 