A Knight's Tale (2001)

During the opening credit's sequence of A Knight's Tale, medieval jousting spectators stomp in tune to music from the band Queen, thus establishing right off what kind of movie this going to be, a fun one. With a pop/rock sound track and decidedly modern character types, A Knight's Tale stars Heath Ledger as a low born squire who takes up impersonating a knight (a position restricted to nobility) when the one he had been serving passes away. He does so as a meal ticket for him and his mates (Mark Addy, Alan Tudyk), but also because he had always dreamed of competing in tournaments, and turns out he's really good at it. Along the way Ledger's William Thatcher, adds to his pose (Laura Fraser), falls for a beautiful median (Shannyn Sossamon), meets historical figures such as Edward the Black Prince (James Purefoy) and Geoffrey Chaucer (Paul Bettany) and becomes mortal enemies with Count Adhamar (Rufus Sewell). It's an enjoyable, good time movie, perfect summer fair from the dawn of the Millennium. ***