Robin Hood. One of the most beloved franchises of films, books, cartoons, etc. I remember watching the Disney animated version when I was a kid. Then Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Who can forget Robin Hood: Men in Tights ("tight tights, but watch what you say or else we'll put out your lights!")? I know I'll never forget seeing my drunk brother singing and dancing to that song, then passing out and getting the back of his head humped by a rottweiler. Good times. LOL
Flash forward to 2010. Ridley Scott, the director of such films as Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, Alien, Blade Runner, etc releases his take on Robin Hood. This Robin Hood is not the same one we are all familiar with. It doesn't adhere to the cannon of all the others. It is a totally different take on the story. As I understand, the director's cut (the version I have seen) added 15 minutes that really fleshed out the whole movie. Many critics who hated the movie initially, say they like it after seeing the expanded movie. I haven't seen the theatrical version, so this review will be on the director's cut.
One thing that surprised me in this adaptation of the film was that it actually incorporated a bit of history into it. Robin calls King Richard on the slaughter of 2700 muslim prisoners at Acre. It also referenced the fact that King John had his first marraige annulled and married Isabella of Angouleme. They don't mention that he was 33 and she was 12 though. This gave King Phillip of France the excuse he needed to go to war with England. It also references the Magna Carta as a major plot point, which John did in fact sign in reality, though not in the movie. For those who had read up on the time period, it was nice to see a bit of history brought into the tale. It wasn't perfect of course, but it was nice to see. Now back to the film.
To start off, the cast had very few surprises. Russel Crowe takes the lead as Robin Longstride. Cate Blanchett (of Elizabeth) plays Lady Marion (Not Maid Marion in this adaptation). Kevin Durand plays Little John. It seems like you can't have an action movie anymore without Durand. I was surprised to see him playing Little John, instead of Prince John, or the Sheriff of Nottingham.
The cinematography was beautiful and was even further enhanced by a deep rich musical score. The battle scenes and fight choreography were top notch, as we have come to expect from Scott. The characters were not fleshed out as well as they could have been, but were good overall. Crowe delivered a good performance as always but not his best. Blanchett's performance was quite good. Most of the cast's performances were good as well.
There were some small things of the plot that felt contrived. Like Robin being the son of the author of the Magna Carta, the Merry Men felt more like a scene from Lord of the Flies as they are all children.
Overall I really enjoyed the movie. If you come expecting a retelling of Robin Hood, you are going to be disappointed. If you come at it and watch it as a medieval action movie that happens to borrow elements of the Robin Hood story, then you will be entertained. I give it 8 / 10.
Flash forward to 2010. Ridley Scott, the director of such films as Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, Alien, Blade Runner, etc releases his take on Robin Hood. This Robin Hood is not the same one we are all familiar with. It doesn't adhere to the cannon of all the others. It is a totally different take on the story. As I understand, the director's cut (the version I have seen) added 15 minutes that really fleshed out the whole movie. Many critics who hated the movie initially, say they like it after seeing the expanded movie. I haven't seen the theatrical version, so this review will be on the director's cut.
One thing that surprised me in this adaptation of the film was that it actually incorporated a bit of history into it. Robin calls King Richard on the slaughter of 2700 muslim prisoners at Acre. It also referenced the fact that King John had his first marraige annulled and married Isabella of Angouleme. They don't mention that he was 33 and she was 12 though. This gave King Phillip of France the excuse he needed to go to war with England. It also references the Magna Carta as a major plot point, which John did in fact sign in reality, though not in the movie. For those who had read up on the time period, it was nice to see a bit of history brought into the tale. It wasn't perfect of course, but it was nice to see. Now back to the film.
To start off, the cast had very few surprises. Russel Crowe takes the lead as Robin Longstride. Cate Blanchett (of Elizabeth) plays Lady Marion (Not Maid Marion in this adaptation). Kevin Durand plays Little John. It seems like you can't have an action movie anymore without Durand. I was surprised to see him playing Little John, instead of Prince John, or the Sheriff of Nottingham.
The cinematography was beautiful and was even further enhanced by a deep rich musical score. The battle scenes and fight choreography were top notch, as we have come to expect from Scott. The characters were not fleshed out as well as they could have been, but were good overall. Crowe delivered a good performance as always but not his best. Blanchett's performance was quite good. Most of the cast's performances were good as well.
There were some small things of the plot that felt contrived. Like Robin being the son of the author of the Magna Carta, the Merry Men felt more like a scene from Lord of the Flies as they are all children.
Overall I really enjoyed the movie. If you come expecting a retelling of Robin Hood, you are going to be disappointed. If you come at it and watch it as a medieval action movie that happens to borrow elements of the Robin Hood story, then you will be entertained. I give it 8 / 10.
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