Movie Review: 'Robin Hood' is a mistitled, mixed bag

Robin Hood (PG-13)
Dir: Ridley Scott
This film is currently open in theaters in Orange County and Los Angeles.

This Ridley Scott-directed version of the Robin Hood legend stars Russell Crowe as the title character. Robin Longstride (Crowe) is a common archer in the Third Crusade led by King Richard the Lionheart, who is killed in battle. Richard’s arrogant brother, John, takes over Richard’s throne as a result, and starts heavily taxing his people. Sir Godfrey (Mark Strong), an English Knight with French ancestry and an agent of the French King stirs up unrest in England so France can invade England. Meanwhile, Robin and his band of warriors try to unite England to defend itself from France.

I have to admit that when I first saw the trailer, the whole gritty, grungy, yet perhaps realistic, look of the film didn’t quite do it for me. I’ve now seen the movie, and I’ve realized I was still quite right about that. The Robin Hood tale has always been the more colorful, adventurous, and happier of the legends out there. Gone now is much of the witty dialogue and youthful fun I’ve come to appreciate in these adventures. This is a somber, grey and gritty take on the legend. The problem isn’t that this film is grey and gritty—it’s just that every period action film these days seem to have that quality. I loved Ridley Scott’s Gladiator. This film feels like an English version of Gladiator. Likewise, it also stars Russell Crowe, playing a tough warrior-type, which admittedly have started to feel like a cliche after 10 years. The issue is that I’ve already seen Gladiator, and this film feels like a lesser version of it.

When King Richard the Lionheart died, I could tell the film was going to be a downer. One of the big reasons why Robin Hood was heroic to many people, despite being an outlaw, was the fact that he was loyal to the true king—King Richard. Here, Robin is kind of a mercenary, and is mostly thrown into the action by chance. His romance with Maid Marion (with a fine performance from Cate Blanchett), who needs a new husband to keep her land since her husband’s death (news that Robin was delivering to her), feels convenient and tacked on.

Russell Crowe looks quite aged to be playing Robin Hood. His haircut and beard is reminiscent of Maximus (from Gladiator), except the whites in his beard is quite visible now. He also doesn’t feel as quick, accurate, or athletic as he used to. He’s certainly no Errol Flynn. His performance is fine as always, but his character isn’t anything new, unique, or really that different from Maximus, except that character was more honor-bound. The script doesn’t really make him all that interesting as he should be. His archery skills are de-emphasized. By the time Robin is riding his horse in full speed and someone throws him a sword in slow motion—a replicated scene with the same angle that was in Gladiator—it feels like self-parody. C’mon, Mr. Scott, did you expect this scene to feel just as dramatic the second time around?

The side characters, such as Will Scarlet (Scott Grimes) and Little John (Kevin Durand) are fun to watch, but they don’t really stand out in this film compared to the previous adaptations of the tale. Likewise, Sheriff of Nottingham (Matthew Macfadyen) is also underused, relegated to a few lines. Oscar Isaac is fun as the prideful King John and Mark Strong is noticeably memorable as Sir Godfrey.

Supposedly, they tried to make this film closer to history. What is odd is that the whole plot didn’t really have to involve Robin Hood at all. While he appears in much of the movie, the film’s focus is really on the politics, King John, and his relationship with France. It all leads up to a huge war scene between France and England at the beach, intricately and dramatically done, eerily similar to the D-Day storming scene from Saving Private Ryan. After a while, having Robin Hood in the story felt more like the afterthought. Many other little things happen in the film (e.g. orphans who live in the forest and Robin’s father’s backstory), but they also feel crammed in there, blended into something familiar, mechanical, and bland.  

This film is actually more like a prequel to the legend of Robin Hood. By the time we get to know Robin Hood the way we’ve always known him, that outlaw from Sherwood Forest (which will perhaps be the focus in the sequel), Robin will be even older. Generally, in this case, things have been changed around so much that it has lost that familiar charm.  I give Robin Hood ** 1/2 out of **** stars.