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+