If you see this movie, try to leave your expectations at home. Ridley Scott’s version of “Robin Hood” does not present the familiar story that harkens back to Errol Flynn. It doesn’t resemble the Kevin Costner version either although that’s arguably a good thing. In this moody version of the legend, starring Russell Crowe, Robin isn’t even Robin Hood, but Robin Longstride, an archer in the army of King Richard the Lionhearted on his way home from the Crusades. Brian Helgeland’s script takes us back to our hero’s early life, but if this is an origin story, you’d think Robin would be younger than Russell Crowe. But ignore the age difference. Just go with the story, which is fairly complicated: King Richard is killed while trying to capture a French castle. Fleeing French soldiers, Robin comes upon a dying knight, Robert Loxley (Douglas Hodge) whose identity and sword he takes back to Nottinghamshire. There, Loxley’s wife, Marion (Cate Blanchett) and father, Walter (Max Von Sydow), are fending off John’s tax collectors. Walter asks Robin to pretend to be Robert so their property will remain with Marion when Walter dies. Meanwhile, John (Oscar Isaac) has become king and unbeknownst to him, his childhood friend, Godfrey (Mark Strong) is fomenting a civil war between John and the northern nobles so the French can invade England.
There’s not much stealing from the rich to give to the poor and Robin and his merry men don’t spend much time in Sherwood Forest. But Scott makes his narrative work. His battle sequences are full of well-executed action and the political intrigue keeps us engaged. Robin and Marion enter into a passionate romance, made credible by the skill of the two actors. And Robin’s followers, Little John (Kevin Durand), Will Scarlet (Scott Grimes) and Allan A’Dayle (Alan Doyle) squabble with each other as they should. Mark Strong, who’s getting awfully good with this type of role, makes a suitably effective villain. But there are also things that don’t work. Tying Robin to the creation of the Magna Carta works better in concept than execution and Marion’s feminist stance seems needlessly prominent. Nonetheless, if you take “Robin Hood” on it’s own terms, it provides solid entertainment. 5/21/10
1 comment:
I really enjoyed this "new" Robin Hood. Lots of action, good acting and a very good cast, Russell Crowe was very good and Kate Blanchett was excellent as always. Crowe was not the second coming of Errol Flynn but then, who is??
Post a Comment