Robin Hood - Reviewed

This is my first ever movie review on this here blog machine.

Robin Hood

In 2000, Ridley Scott directed Gladiator starring Russell Crowe, an action movie with a fictitious plot based on historical events, or what I call an "ultimate man movie." (see Braveheart, The Patriot, etc.) This film proudly sits in my top 5 of all time.

Now, when I first heard about Robin Hood, my mind (like every other "ultimate man movie" fan's mind) immediately thought Gladiator. "Oh, cool. Maximus gets a bow and some merry men this time." Initially, I was a little skeptical. Then I realized that if this movie was anything like Gladiator, Mr. Scott would be doing the world a favor.

Too say the least, Robin Hood lived up to the hype.

The classic Robin Hood tale that we all know and love (and have seen produced at least half a dozen times) is not the 2010 Ridley Scott version. This film could almost be considered a prequel to the well-known "steal from the rich, give to the poor" tale. It tells the story behind the story.

You get to witness the hero fight in the Crusades with King Richard the Lionheart whose crown is passed to his brother John after his death in battle. The despicable King John begins his selfish, greedy, power-hungry tyranny and you get to watch it unfold. Ladies, you get to see the relationship between the hooded hero and his Lady Marian grow from the ground up as they fall in love.

The character development in this movie serves as a pillar on which the classic story is built.

Crowe portrays the charitable outlaw like no one else ever has or ever will. He's not the quick, lean man in tights. He's the strong, warrior archer in tights. Not once did I mistake him for Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the armies of the North, general of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius, father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. You know, the one who will get his vengeance in this life or the next. He wasn't in this movie. When it comes to King John, you hate him for a while, then you start to like him but not fully trust him, then, as soon as you start to think he is trustworthy, you realize you hate him again. Godfrey is a great character but I will let you see it to learn more about him. The movie did a great job of making an emotional connection between you and each of the characters.

This movie has what it takes to be in the same conversation as Braveheart and Gladiator, but it also has some elements that, unfortunately, take it out of that same conversation. There were a few cheesy things that took away more than they contributed.

Ladies, beware. You may not like what you are about to read.

First off is a knight in full armor with a helmet covering his face riding into battle just moments before the initial charge. Turns out it's actually Lady Marian coming to fight beside her man. The face covering was incredibly unnecessary. Everybody in the theater, including the 5 year-old girl sitting in her dad's lap next to me, knew who was wearing that armor. She might as well have been riding side saddle or bringing her man a sandwich (Sorry, ladies, it was just too easy.) But, seriously, I think we all would have been better off had they left out that cliché.

Secondly, in the middle of a super intense battle, Lady Marian is knocked from her horse while trying to satisfy a personal vengeance only to be saved by Mr. Longstride himself. Although that is another small cliché, it didn't bother me too much. What did bother me was the fact that, after exchanging a few blows with the enemy, Robin took time to make out with her while the super intense battle was happening in literally every direction. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good love story. In fact, all "ultimate man movies" are love stories. It's just that the make out scene could have waited until a more appropriate time.

After all of that, I give Robin Hood 4 stars. I was connected emotionally. It drew me in and didn't let go until the credits. Best movie I have seen in theaters in a long long time. I think Ridley Scott understands that it takes more than just tons of explosions to make a good action flick (Yeah, I'm talking to you Ironman 2.) Bravo, Robin Hood.

"Rise and rise again until lambs become lions." - Robin Hood

It's lengthy, I know. Thanks for reading this far.

Brett