New to Netflix today is the Polish family action-adventure movie, Mr. Car and the Knights Templar (aka Pan Samochodzik i Templariusze). The movie – directed by Antoni Nykowski – is based on the novel of the same name by Zbigniew Nienacki, and stars Mateusz Janicki, Jacek Beler, Sandra Drzymalska, and Juliusz Godzina.
In the film, Mr. Tomasz is an archaeologist and adventurer who has recently uncovered the lost Cross of de Molay. The cross is said to be the key to locating ancient treasure, and if Tomasz can crack the clues hidden on the artefact then he can find the vast riches of the Knights Templar.
After taking the cross back to the National Museum, Tomasz holds a press conference to update the world about the lost piece. However, shortly after the press conference he is approached by an old friend, who warns him there is more to the cross than it first seems.
Keen to uncover its secrets, Tomasz sets off on a quest to find the treasure, but as he soon discovers, he’s not the only one. Following close behind is an investigative journalist, a fellow adventurer, a deadly assassin called ‘Adios’, and a trio of scouts.
Operating in a similar sphere to the likes of the Indiana Jones films and the National Treasure movies, but focusing a little more on a younger age demographic, Mr. Car and the Knights Templar is a family-friendly treasure hunt film. The picture is about a quest involving multiple hunters, with Mr. Tomasz (aka Mr. Car) at the centre of the story, and involves a dash of adventure, a few flashbacks to the past, and a great deal of talking.
In fact, there’s more talking than anything else in this movie, and while I want to make clear that Mr. Car and the Knights Templar isn’t a dreadful film, it is one which misses the mark quite considerably and it is disappointing. Any film that is going to be compared to Indiana Jones or National Treasure needs to be on a similar level in terms of excitement and entertainment, and sadly Mr. Car and the Knights Templar doesn’t come anywhere close.
The main issue is, the film trundles along at a snail’s pace, never really offering up anything dynamic or action-packed. So, where the aforementioned films would inject some eye-popping set-pieces or a sense of energy into proceedings, Mr. Car and the Knights Templar just offers up endless exposition and lots, and lots of conversation.
Oh, there are a few moments where action is introduced, but they are very fleeting and also incredibly bland. There’s nothing in here that will quicken the pulse or stop you from picking up your phone for some social media scrolling, and that means you’re more likely to turn this film off than see it through to the end.
If you’ve watched the preview trailer for Mr. Car and the Knights Templar then you will be under the impression this is a fast-paced, energetic romp; but sadly, it’s not. The trailer is deceptive and the picture itself is the exact opposite.
The film’s title is also a bit of a damp squib too, because while the lead character does get referred to as ‘Mr. Car’, and he does own a car – and a battle-ready car too – it doesn’t feature in the movie all that much. The car feels more like an afterthought than anything else, and those hoping for some Batmobile-style car chases will be left wanting.
On the plus side, the cast are all decent and I get the impression that everyone believes in this film. It certainly has it’s heart in the right place, even if it doesn’t land the right way, and that counts for something.
But despite its good intentions, Mr. Car and the Knights Templar is still really dull. Netflix has the film rated as a 12, which is about right in terms of its tone and content, but I honestly can’t see anyone over the age of 12 being all that captivated by this movie.
I suspect teenagers will find it too dull, while adults will find it uneventful. At best, all it will do is remind everyone that much better adventure movies are out there to watch, and I don’t believe any filmmaker wants this to be said about their picture.
If you’re craving a film about the hunt for lost treasure, then I advise you to watch Raiders of the Lost Ark, National Treasure, The Goonies, the 1985 version of King Solomon’s Mines, or the oft-overlooked (but really fun) Dora and the Lost City of Gold. All of these films are very entertaining, and all are worthy of your time.
As for Mr. Car and the Knights Templar, unless you’re desperate to watch it, I really don’t see the point. There is a decent idea here, and a potentially decent film, but what is brought to the screen falls short.
__
Thank you for taking the time to read this review on It’s A Stampede!. For more reviews, check out the recommended reads below.
It's A Stampede! 
Leave a comment