Robin Hood

Robin Hood, the hooded crusader (Russell Crowe), is fighting for the English during the crusades. However, when the King dies during battle Robin Hood is returning the crown to John, the next successor for the throne (Oscar Issac). During this time the king is facing several complications such as affairs, a country in debit, and headed toward a civil war. Robin Hood, after returning the crown goes to return a sword of a soldier who died in an ambush. He comes to the town explaining this event to the soldier’s father, Sir Walter Loxley, who is blind (Max von Sydow). Afraid of losing his land to the tax collectors Sir Walter Loxley asks Robin Longstride to marry his daughter, Lady Marian (Cate Blanchett) so that he may keep his land and home. Throughout the weeks that pass by a relationship starts to occur between Robin and Marian, but with Sir Godfrey (Mark Strong) burning down villages and having Robin Hood as target. With England at an almost civil war, there are a few memorable quotes such as “Rise and rise again until lambs become lions. What does this mean? It means never give up” and “A king who demands loyalty but fails to show his people the same.” This classic tale of Robin Hood fails to meet the historical accuracy as well as the message of the tale.

This version of Robin Hood is similar to that of Gladiator (another Ridley Scott film) only a few notches down. While having some excellent camera shots, action scenes, and good performances from William Hurt (who plays William Marshall), Mark Strong, and Cate Blanchett these do not hold a well orchestrated movie together. This version had very few symbols, rarely touched on him giving to poor and taking from the greedy, as well as just accuracy to history. Robin Hood actually kidnapped King John put a bow and arrow to his head and made him sign a series of laws. As well there was little relevance between the story of Robin Hood and the relationship between him and his father. While making some good performances, great (typically Ridley Scott) action scenes, and Mark Strong always playing the villain made this film unfortunately as well somewhat of a bore. C+

'Iron Man 2'

Tony Stark, AKA: Iron Man (Robert Downey JR.) is back and he is bigger, badder and louder than ever. The United States Government wants Tony Stark to turn over the Iron Man for being seen as a possible national security threat, even though Iron Man has brought world peace. Stark Industries, formerly working with the United States Government on nuclear weapons, is holding their very own “Starks Expo”, which is an expo for those who have ideas on improvement/development of machines. A presenter and rival of Starks Industries, Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell), CEO of Hammer Industries. What sets Mr. Hammer apart from Mr. Starks is having the incompetence to make an adequate weapon, or Iron Man for that matter, and working with the United States Government on weapons manufacturing. One can only imagine the credibility of the United States Government by having weapons technology that is not even competent enough to aim correctly.

Meanwhile in Russian, Ivan Vanko, AKA: Whiplash (Mickey Rourke) has the information of Iron Man which Ivan's father had originally created, however, Howard Stark, Tony's dad (John Slattery), had plagiarised the blueprints for Iron Man's artificial heart, thus Father Vanko was disgraced from the scientific community. Dr. Vanko as well knows about the affects of having an artificial heart; "ironically what is keeping Tony alive is also killing him." Whiplash goes to a race, in Italy, Tony participates in. Vanko at the race uses the technology he possesses, and shows Iron Man is vulnerable by nearly murdering Tony on the racetrack. “If you make God bleed people will cease to believe he is God”, which was Whiplash's intention of revenge for his belated father. Who would want to see Tony at his lowest level more than Whiplash? Justin Hammer viewing the race decides to team up with Whiplash in order to make his own Iron Man but bigger, badder, and better than Tony's. One thing both Mr. Hammer and Dr. Vanko wish to have, revenge.

Tony as well has to deal with the displeasure of his father who is six feet under, fear of telling his girlfriend, Pepper Pots, the new CEO of Starks Industries, (Gwyneth Paltrow), he is perishing, and questioning the loyalty of his best friend, James “Rhodney” Rhodes, AKA War Machine (Don Cheadle), who is working for the United States, as an member of the air force. Could anything else go wrong? Yes, his relationship is unstable with Pepper and is only causing further confusion with the hire of Natalie, Pepper's assistant, AKA: Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson). Iron Man 2 throughout the film has made very aware Scarlett Johansson is indeed very attractive making, but not the only reason of Mr. Stark's unstable relationship. Robert Downey Jr. is playing himself being selfish, self absorbed and saying "I" too often, in every sentence, non stop, no offense Mr. Downey Jr. All of Iron Man's antagonists include Justin Hammer, Whiplash, the United States Government, as well as his own controversies. Tony's friends...they become clear at the end of the film.

Iron Man 2 had all the action scenes, witty lines, and self-conflicting decisions a movie is expected to have. There was good dialogue, good plot, political pressure, comedic lines, and common done before themes throughout film. In the end who is the winner for best portrayed role? Yes Scarlett Johansson was made very aware she is attractive, however took little to realize she is beautiful. Downey JR. did play the self absorbed Tony Stark accurately however he was not acting. The winner goes to Mickey Rourke. Mickey was the perfect, creepy villain every movie looks for. Not only was he tough, smart, and greasy down to the bone but his Russian accent was perfect. This is when an audience member is able to the the movie has few issues when Mickey Rourke, the former boxer, is the best part of the film. Another factor making Iron Man 2 a lower level than the first is Robert Downey Jr. was just coming back from rehab and Don Cheadle replaced Terrence Howard, who could not participate in the film for wanting a rather large sum of money. There are also moments of inconsistency, is rather long, and is less exhilarating than the first. B-