Robin Hood Movie Review 2

By Ron Wilkinson May 15, 2010, 15:48 GMT

A new spin on the Robin Hood legend with the Sheriff of Nottingham as a noble and brave lawman serving under a corrupt king. He finds himself caught up in a love triangle with Marion and the outlaw Robin Hood. The untitled Robin Hood adventure chronicles the life of an expert archer, previously interested only in self-preservation, from his service in King Richard’s army against the French. Upon Richard’s death, Robin ...more

Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe will be better off pointing their arrows in different directions after this Dark Age howler

Thrice Oscar nominated director/producer Ridley Scott (“Black Hawk Down,” “Gladiator” and “Thelma & Louise”) should have thought twice before he decided to add another “Robin Hood” flick to the family. The basic premise is a good one but the execution is flawed. This film is not just a rehashing of the Merry Men, it is a prequel that provides an alternate story about how Robin Hood met Friar Tuck and Little John and became an outlaw in the eyes of the establishment.

That is the end of the history lesson. The rest of the film is dashing through the woods on horseback combined with some spectacular war scenes. Here are the usual volleys of thousands of arrows and the resulting screaming and yelling of the fighting hordes as they are skewered. Even better, there is a good old-fashioned siege with very inventive pitch bags used to burn down the castle gates.

Whether fantasy or reality this is still fun stuff to watch. Surprisingly the film is not overly gross or bloody. Aside from an arrow through the neck here and there most of the violence is done without the spurting blood and all. Sanitization is the ground rule.

Speaking of sanitization Russell Crowe fans might want to give this film a miss. Either he was caught up in a war of wills with director Scott or he hated this part. The result is a performance where he seems distracted nearly all of the time. His screen chemistry with Cate Blanchette is non-existent and she actually fights better than he does. Crowe was great in “Gladiator,” “Master and Commander” and “3:10 to Yuma.” However, he was able to pull off those roles by being the thoughtful strategist, proving to be especially skilled when there was a little mental illness involved as in “3:10 to Yuma.”

His sophistication is misplaced in the wild and wooly woods of Nottingham. This film needs Errol Flynn, not Sigmund Freud.

Oscar winner Cate Blanchett steals the show from Crowe with a great performance as the redoubtable Marion Loxley. Whether stirring a pot or stringing a long bow she acts as if she really cares about what is going on. Max von Sydow does a good job playing the aging, blind and semi-senile Sir Walter Loxley. It is not a part that allows for many dynamics but he shows more acting chops than Crowe does in his execution of the main man.

William Hurt is lost as William Marshall, a character who wanders in and out of the action in an attempt to add some statesmanship amidst the arrows and burning pitch. We preferred the arrows and burning pitch, thank you. Danny Huston is hardly his nasty self from “The Proposition” or “The Constant Gardener.” Like Crowe he doesn’t get a chance to show what he can do. Mark Addy plays a pretty durn good Friar Tuck but it doesn’t help matters any when we keep flashing back to him in “Full Monty.” Matthew Macfadyen has the funniest scene in the film as the Sheriff of Nottingham emerging half-asleep during the ransacking of the village. His challenge will be to restore his nasty dignity when, and if, there is a sequel to this prequel.

Cinematography by twice Oscar nominated John Mathieson, reteaming with Scott after Gladiator. The underwater arrow scenes are almost as well done as the originals in “Saving Private Ryan.” The sets of the castles, villages and the French marine landing are very well done although predictably sanitized for the American viewing public. All in all a fun film to watch for those who don’t want to get into the legend too deeply.

Release:  May 14, 2010
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for violence including intense sequences of warfare, and some sexual content
Runtime: 140 minutes
Country: US / UK
Language: English
Color: Color