I liked this movie a lot. I really did. It’s unfortunate that I couldn’t stay for the whole film and had to leave 20 minutes before the end. So this review will be based on the some 2 hours of it that I did see.
If you’re looking for a Robin Hood wearing tights and a story filled with him stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, look elsewhere. This version is not for you. Ridley Scott basically plucked Maximus Decimus Meridius in Gladiator from Rome and set him in the middle of England in the Middle Ages and re-named him Robin Longstride. The movie is about the beginnings of Robin Hood and how he came to be, more like a prequel, if you may. This just makes Robin Hood not so much the tale of Robin Hood but an epic medieval war epic. I believe that this will be a love or hate type of movie. It will completely depend on what you’re looking for in watching this movie. In any case, here’s my take on the film.
The opening half-an-hour or so of this film is great. There’s a good amount of top-notch action choreography that just gets you going. The screenplay balances out the action to character development ratio. Ridley Scott found a way to introduce and develop characters early on in the midst of a flurry of scenes full of horse-riding, sword-fighting, explosions and arrows whistling through the air.
This gives Scott plenty of time to further elaborate the screenplay in the middle portion of the film, which for me, is where the film sunk a little. After the opening 30 minutes, the action dies down and politics takes center stage. Although the middle part of the film didn’t maintain the buzz given by the action in the beginning, the screenplay kept things fresh and interesting. Never once was I bored or felt the film was dull. I was actually surprised by the amount of wit and humor that was thrown in the film. There were several times when the theater I was in erupted in laughter. Some jokes, the whole crowd didn’t get but I found myself and a few people around me chuckling to. Ultimately, the comic-relief in Robin Hood is unexpected and is a great inclusion to the film.
Robin Hood is the fifth time Ridley Scott has worked with John Mathieson as his cinematographer, the first four being Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, Matchstick Men and Hannibal. I just loved the way the film was shot. Exposing such incredible scenery in the background, really taking advantage of the beautiful filming locations. Something I noticed was the zooming in the film. Unlike the typical slow and subtle approach, the zooming in this film was quick and sharp, bringing a sense of nostalgia because it made the film look like it was shot in the 90’s. Not many people might like this or even notice it, but if you do, it only makes the movie that much better for you.
The weakest link in the movie is surprisingly Cate Blanchett’s character, Lady Marion. Instead of having an arousing romance with Robin Longstride, Lady Marion is more involved in the fighting and politics of the movie. I don’t think Blanchett fits the role at all and her character seemed very apprehensive and awkward.
All in all, the film was shot well, acted well, written well and scored well, with most of the movie having a score that sounded somewhat like flutes. Something like this. If you’re looking for an movie filled with well choreographed action this weekend, this is it. So this weekend, between Robin Hood and A Nightmare On Elm Street, go see Robin Hood. It will be worth your money.
I give Robin Hood 7 out of 10 Popcorns.
So Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe have teamed up once more to bring the legendary tale of Robin Hood to the silver screen. They are joined by a stellar cast which includes the likes of Academy Award-winner Cate Blanchett Mark Strong, William Hurt. Kevin Durand, Alan Doyle, and Scott Grimes.
