Review: Robin Hood

Plot: This often told tale of the famous outlaw gets another Hollywood incarnation. This time however the focus is heavy on history instead of legend.

Review: The tale of Robin Hood is maybe one of the most often, if not the most often, stories brought to life on the big screen. Sixteen times it has graced the cinema, everything from the 1908 silent film "Robin Hood and his Merry Men" to Mel Brooks' 1993 spoof "Robin Hood: Men in Tights." The green clad outlaw has had more press than Heidi Montag's boobs. Yet in Academy Award nominated director Ridley Scott's 2010 version, the film focuses more on the events leading up to Sherwood Forest. Robin Longstride (Russell Crowe) returns to England under the guise of the deceased Robert Loxley bearing the crown of recently killed King Richard "The Lionheart." Surrendering the crown to the new King John (Oscar Isaac) Robin then returns to Nottingham agreeing to pretend to be Sir Walter Loxley's dead son in order to boost morale in the surrounding lands. Only Robin has to deal with more than he expected, including a traitorous villain named Sir Godfrey ("Sherlock Holmes" Mark Strong), bandits, overtaxed citizens, and a burgeoning love for the widow Lady Marion (Cate Blanchett). As a film goer I liked this turn from the norm. As I said the story has been told so many times it was nice to get a fresh take on the legend. The film touches more on England's war with France and the idea of liberty by law, going so far as to include the Magna Carta, the significant 1215 English document. Joining Russell Crowe in the titular role are familiar characters: Little John (Kevin Durand from "Wolverine" and television's "LOST"), Will Scarlett (Scott Grimes from "Critters" "ER" and "Band of Brothers") and Friar Tuck (Mark Addy from "The Full Monty" and "The Time Machine"). Crowe, who proves to be one of the greatest method actors since Marlon Brando, brings a gravitas and a gritty realism to the role as none of his predecessors before him have done. (Crowe actually spent 10 months reading books on Robin Hood in preparation for the role and 4 months training with a bow and arrow.) Unfortunately the supporting cast while enjoyable is severely under used, often relegated to the role of comic relief. Academy Award winning actress Cate Blanchett is solid as the strong willed and determined Lady Marion but her turn as a "warrior" is severely misguided and unconvincing. Oscar Isaac really stole the show as the sniveling and arrogant King John. Every time he was in a scene I felt like I needed a shower. Isaac played Robin Hood's primary antagonist perfectly; villainous but not in a "man in the black cloak" kind of way. "Robin Hood's" action sequences were strong and taunt with energy. Ridley Scott's pacing is decent although at 140 minutes Brian Helgeland's script could have used a little trimming. Also in some ways "Robin Hood" felt like a heavy handed way of setting up a sequel and although I liked its focus on fact, I found myself sometimes yearning for the legend. All in all however, "Robin Hood" kept my attention with its action, acting, and unique take on the often told legend.

My rating: 7/10