Starring: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Max Von Sydow, William Hurt, Mark Strong

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Today, on a day off of work, I decided to go to the mall to catch a movie. Yes, I decided to turn down, “Sex and the City 2” and wait for DVD instead, I will still see it, but not in theater. I will explain why in another blog post. Other than seeing a movie, I did buy the “Red Dead Redemption” video game for the PS3 and a few music CD’s as well. So I ended up seeing “Robin Hood” instead.

Here is my review:

Plot/Synopsis: Based upon the legendary fictional hero that robs the rich and gives to the poor, this film is just an introduction to the character. The film is taken place in the 13th century in England. King Richard was killed in a battle against the French, so it forced, Robin Hood to travel to Nottingham, which is taken over by an evil Sheriff and having trouble with taxes. That is where Robin meets Lady Marian (Blanchett) and of course, falls in love with her. While there, Robin puts together his own army with fighting skills, so he can fight against the French for freedom of his people.

Critics online have trashed this movie in a negative direction. Why? Mostly criticizing the film’s arrow shooting. Hey, does the arrow shootings in the film have to be perfect? Do they have to be like “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” the Kevin Costner version? I believe Ridley’s version of the arrow shooting was to be realistic. That’s my thought exactly when I saw the film. Critics trashed the film pretty harshly, I thought I was going to hate the film too…but I saw it ’cause I’m a fan of Ridley Scott movies. I’m not much of a Russell Crowe fan ’cause I think he’s an overrated actor. Russell has been in a few good films that I liked, films like “A Beautiful Mind”, “Gladiator”, “American Gangster”, and “3:10 to Yuma”, that’s it I believe.

Surprisingly I liked him in this movie, “Robin Hood”. A LOT. Actually, I LOVED IT. Ridley Scott did a fantastic job telling the Robin Hood story the way it was supposed to be. All the other Robin Hood films were good, the Erroll Flynn stuff, Kevin Costner, the Mel Brooks, “Men In Tights” were well done, but I think Ridley perfected the Robin Hood legacy.  If you know the Robin Hood story well, Ridley stayed true to it. As I watch this film, I actually felt like watching a UK movie ’cause that’s what it felt like. The camera work seems like it was low budget, trying to get a UK feel to it. The American actors did a good job with the English accent as well as Russell did too. In the film, Russell wore green tights of course, but he didn’t yet wear the green hat with the feather on it. Maybe they will get Russell to wear the green hat for the sequel?

The acting of all cast members was very good. The musical score was different and it felt like a Robin Hood movie with the scoring. It didn’t feel like that mainstream Robin Hood movie, “Prince of Thieves” at all. I didn’t find anything wrong with the film. It was thoroughly entertaining and I wasn’t bored even if the film was almost 2 and half hours long. Ridley and Russell did quite a few films together, but I think this was their best one. I see them two making this into a trilogy for sure. The action scenes were actually a blast and fun to watch, especially the big fight scene at the beach at the end of the movie was awesome.

If you’re a fan of the Robin Hood story, you should definitely see this!

Score for “Robin Hood” = **** (4 stars as in excellent)

Kev

Photo courtesy of USAToday, they gave us our first look at Russell Crowe as Robin Hood. The new “Robin Hood” movie being directed by Ridley Scott. Here is Russell in the Robin Hood costume, with bow and arrow and all. Looks pretty fucking cool,  I think!

Kev