Big Screen Blurb: Robin Hood

So, I’m sitting in the theatre watching the 12th century English version of Braveheart when I realized that it was actually Robin Hood. Yes, another Robin Hood. Indeed, it was the Prince of Thieves, but it wasn’t. This tale is essentially a prequel—a prelude to the Robin Hood story.


When this came out, I wasn’t sure that we really needed another Robin Hood to add to the pile. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the Kevin Costner version from the early 90’s; although his 2 1/2 hour long struggle with attempting an English accent was almost as fierce as his battle with the Sheriff. The updated Rigley Scott version, however, is the equivalent to Christopher Nolan’s revival of the Batman story. It’s authentic. It’s bloody. It’s not Robin Locksley.

Russell Crowe plays Robin Longstride, a disgruntled archer in King Richard’s army. After the death of the not-so-good king during a fateful battle, Robin encounters a group of knights whose charge is to return the crown to England. They’ve been ambushed by our villain, Godfrey (Mark Strong). One of the fallen knights is none other than Robin Locksley. Longstride trades last names with him, picks up the fumbled crown and heads for the castle. This leaves us with an even worse king (King John…yeah, power really does corrupt, doesn’t it?) and a deepening story. Longstride assumes Locksley role, including husband to Marion Locksley (Cate Blanchett) to help out against a tyrannical ruler (that would be big, bad John).

Godfrey is busy creating a war on two sides that comes to a head as the plot unfolds and war brews. Meanwhile, King John is on one side of that war and is left with attempting to rally the people, who he has royally overtaxed and grossly mistreated. Robin saves the day. rallying the troops by having King John agree to create a decree that will create the 12th century version of Life, Liberty and Happiness. Of course, this is a decree that he promptly trashes after the war is won. This leaves Robin an outlaw and me ready for the Robin Hood that I’ve come to know and love.

All in all, I really enjoyed it. Plenty to sharpen my arrows on, for certain. My only issue with it would be the lack of real rivalry between Godfrey and Robin. Sure, they hate each other in the end, but there were few moments that would allow the audience to take a vested interest in their distaste. What’s wrong with these rivals squaring off in a more ‘in-your-face’ way from the outset? I mean, you know Batman hated the Joker; and why. In The Patriot, you know Benjamin Martin hated Colonel Travington; and why. You know the Lakers hate the Celtics; and why. With this Rivalry, we don’t get enough interaction between the two. The only other down note would be the following: It was long; nearly 2 1/2 hours to be exact, but it does go quickly.

I’ll give it 3.5-stars and a free pass through Sherwood Forest.

Have a great weekend and thanks for reading…

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