Okay, I can understand why people mayn't like this film, the story while simple and often charming is also predictable and daft and the gags are on the puerile and lowbrow side. The script however while going overboard perhaps with the expletives is very funny and perhaps quotable. It is a well made movie, with good cinematography, clean and colourful sets and costumes that look more than fancy dress. The characters are engaging and charming particularly Deschannel's character. The cast are terrific, Danny McBride looks clearly comfortable and Zooey Deschannel is also in an ideal role. Natalie Portman is both sexy and feisty, Justin Thereaux nearly steals the show and Charles Dance and Toby Jones are a delight to watch. Overall, not for everybody but while not the best of the year I can think of much worse ways to spend your time. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Fabious (James Franco) is the heroic perfect son of King Tallious. Thadeous (Danny McBride) is the pathetic lazy brother. After defeating the evil wizard Leezar (Justin Theroux),Fabious proposes to marry the virgin Belladonna (Zooey Deschanel) who he rescued from a tower. Fabious's Knights Elite led by Boremont (Damian Lewis) ridicules Thadeous. Julie (Toby Jones) is a courtier. When Belladonna is kidnapped by Leezar, Thadeous is forced to go on the quest with Fabious. On the way, they are rescued by the skilled fighter Isabel (Natalie Portman) who agrees to travel together.

Danny McBride is a little too mean-spirited. It's good that he's pathetic. It's off-putting for him to be so bitter. I feel like there is a missing element in the comedy group. It needs a goofy fun guy that somebody like Seth Rogen could play. There is a lightness that is missing from this comedy. The jokes are adolescent but workable and sometimes even funny. The addition of Natalie Portman is good but she comes in after around half of the movie is over. Her best quality is to be the straight man calling out McBride. She improves the group dynamics markedly. I want her in the movie earlier. I just think that something is missing from the Franco McBride pairing.

I came to this film with low expectations and what can I say, I chuckled a few times and rather enjoyed this stoner/slacker modernist take of a medieval adventure.

Danny McBride (Thadeous) and James Franco (Fabious) are two princes on a dangerous mission to save their land and rescue Fabious's fiancée Zooey Deschanel (Belladonna.)

Older brother Fabious has always been valiant. Thadeous prefers booze, weed and easy maidens. When it comes to combat he tends to stay back. Joined by Natalie Portman (Isabel) a warrior with her own agenda they go on a journey where they meet evil wizards, vanquish terrifying creatures and treacherous knights.

This is a silly low brow film with a penchant for a lot of penis jokes and other smutty type of humour. Its not quite Monty Python. Everyone speaks in cod English accents and seem to enjoy themselves including Portman who had recently won a Best Actress Oscar when she made this film. Franco comes across as a bit vacant though.

The humour is hit and miss but there is nothing wrong with some hearty, naughty silliness.