Watch Merlin and the Book of Beasts

Merlin and the Book of Beasts is a 2009 fantasy adventure film that features James Callis as the legendary wizard Merlin. This movie is directed by Warren P. Sonoda and written by Brook Durham. It's a part of the Syfy channel's collection and follows the tale of Merlin as he tries to prevent the Book of Beasts from falling into the wrong hands.

The storyline revolves around Camelot, which is in dire straits due to an impending threat from the monster realm. The monsters have joined hands under the direction of the evil sorceress, Arkadian. She is on the hunt for the Book of Beasts, a powerful tome that contains the secrets of the monster world.

Meanwhile, Merlin and his fellow knights are called upon to investigate the disappearances of townsfolk in the area. When they arrive, they find that the missing people have been taken by Arkadian's minions. They soon realize that the sorceress is on the hunt for the Book of Beasts, which is the only thing that can stop her from unleashing a horde of monsters upon Camelot.

Merlin and his comrades make it their mission to retrieve the book before it falls into the wrong hands. In their pursuit, they face many challenges and must confront their greatest fears. They venture deep into the monster realm, where they must outsmart the creatures and defeat Arkadian in a final showdown to save Camelot.

The acting in the movie was overall satisfactory. James Callis, who is known for his role in Battlestar Galactica, portrayed the character of Merlin very well. He brought the right amount of humor, emotion and power that Merlin is known for. Laura Harris, who played the role of Gwen, Merlin's love interest, delivered a decent performance, though her character was slightly underdeveloped.

Jesse Moss portrayed the role of Garrett, a young squire with a troubled past. He underperformed in certain scenes, but his camaraderie with James Callis's Merlin brought some much-needed humor to the movie. The supporting cast delivered solid performances, with the likes of Patrick Sabongui and Donald Adams adding to the movie's charm.

The movie's special effects and set design were acceptable for a TV movie. The monsters and other CG elements added to the movie's suspense and intrigue. However, some of the scenes where the characters were interacting with the CG elements were a bit awkward and clumsy, which detracted from the overall experience.

The movie's pacing was adequate, and it never felt too slow or too fast. The screenplay, although predictable, kept the audience engaged throughout the movie. The action scenes were well-choreographed, and the movie's climax was satisfying.

Merlin and the Book of Beasts is not a groundbreaking movie by any means, nor is it a cinematic masterpiece. However, it is an enjoyable movie that can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. The film's mix of adventure, fantasy and comedy will appeal to fans of the genre. The film's lack of character development and its predictable storyline might take away from the overall experience. However, the movie's solid acting, cinematography, and action sequences make it worth a watch.

In conclusion, Merlin and the Book of Beasts is a decent TV movie that can be an enjoyable watch for families. The movie is not without its flaws, but its engaging screenplay, likable characters, and exciting action scenes make it an entertaining ride. If you're a fan of James Callis or the fantasy genre, then this movie is worth checking out.

Merlin and the Book of Beasts is a 2009 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.7.