“ROBIN HOOD MEN IN FIGHTS”
Starring: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Mark Strong, Mark Addy, Oscar Isaac, Danny Huston, Eileen Atkins, and Max Von Sydow
Directed By: Ridley Scott
MPAA Rating: PG 13 for violence including intense sequences of warfare, and some sexual content
Running Time: 148 Minutes
Genre: Action/Adventure, Adaptation and Drama.
Release Date: May 14, 2010
Distributor: Universal Pictures
By John Delia, Jr.
This isn’t the way I remember the adventurous rob from the rich and give to the poor Robin Hood or Sherwood Forrest’s Merry Men for that matter, but the action, direction and admirable acting make for a good film. The only concerns I have are the length of the movie, the clouding of the original myth and some jumpy camera work combined with scenes that came out of nowhere that do distract. If you like a lot of action and enjoy Ridley Scott films (Gladiator, American Gangster and Black Hawk Down) then take the ride.
This film brings history to life and explains how Robin became the legend. It starts by showing how the country has fallen from the economical strain that was drawn from the crusades, its battles and other background that was not in the original story. It goes from there to how the character of Robin is born following the death of Robert of Loxley and to the beginnings of Robin Longstride.
If I have confused you somewhat, don’t be as the movie is just another heroic retelling of the man who loved his nation and king so much, he is willing to die for them. You may think as I do that this is merely a prequel to the real Robin Hood story that I remember as a kid.
Russell Crowe gives a wonderful performance as the warrior who challenges the crown. But, that’s what Crowe does best. Always the champion whether it be a Gladiator (Gladiator), a powerful ships captain (Master and Commander), a rugged cowboy (3:10 to Yuma), or a hardened detective (American Gangster) he makes each character believable and realistic. And with Robin Longstride he keeps the persona going creating the excitement needed to make this film good.
While director Ridley Scott does make his film more of a historical event than an adventure, he doesn’t shy away from keeping his main character a hero, arrow sharpshooter, Casanova and stealth warrior. If Scott does have a fault in this film it is keeping his story on track. There were some scenes that came out of nowhere and didn’t seem to make sense like Mark Strong playing the villain Godfrey sets up the French against the English. To me the character really has no sense of why he wants to help the French, especially since he was a childhood friend of King John. I was also disappointed in his not using the characters like Little John, Will Scarlet and Friar Tuck enough to get to know them like in other productions of the film.
I do love action and especially the kind that moves along at a fast clip, includes some great battles, chase scenes and culminates with a satisfying ending. Although Robin Hood does miss at the end, it was the ride I took getting there that made me like the film.
The film is rated PG 13 for violence including intense sequences of warfare, and some sexual content. It also shows some gory scenes that could be a little too intense for youngsters.
3.5 of 5 Palm Trees