MIT Lecture Series Committee

Rated R
102 minutes

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format: 35mm

Your Highness (2011)

Throughout history, tales of chivalry have burnished the legends of brave, handsome knights who rescue fair damsels, slay dragons and conquer evil. But behind many a hero is a good-for-nothing younger brother just trying to stay out of the way of those dragons, evil, and trouble in general. Danny McBride and James Franco team up for an epic comedy adventure set in a fantastical world -- Your Highness. As two princes on a daring mission to save their land, they must rescue the heir apparent's fiancée before their kingdom is destroyed. Thadeous (McBride) has spent his life watching his perfect older brother Fabious (Franco) embark upon valiant journeys and win the hearts of his people. Tired of being passed over for adventure, adoration and the throne, he's settled for a life of wizard's weed, hard booze and easy maidens. But when Fabious' bride-to-be, Belladonna (Zooey Deschanel), gets kidnapped by the evil wizard Leezar (Justin Theroux), the king gives his deadbeat son an ultimatum: Man up and help rescue her or get cut off. Half-assedly embarking upon his first quest, Thadeous joins Fabious to trek across the perilous outlands and free the princess. Joined by Isabel (Natalie Portman) -- an elusive warrior with a dangerous agenda of her own -- the brothers must vanquish horrific creatures and traitorous knights before they can reach Belladonna. If Thadeous can find his inner hero, he can help his brother prevent the destruction of his land. Stay a slacker, and not only does he die a coward, he gets a front row seat to the dawn of an all-new Dark Ages. [www.rottentomatoes.com]

Less sword and sorcery than f-word and saucery, this is a frequently funny foul-mouthed fantasy adventure with a gleefully puerile script and strong comic performances from McBride and Franco.
      -- Matthew Turner, ViewLondon. Read this review.