Robin Hood, or How Ego Ruined a Good Concept
I actually liked this more than I thought I would, but then I was expecting it to be complete pants so I'm not really sure what that says. I love the Robin Hood legend - and I really liked te concept of this film when it was called "Nottingham," Crowe was going to play the Sheriff (a more age-appropriate role) and it was going to deconstruct the 'legend.' That actually sounded interesting. Then Crowe was going to play both the Sheriff and Robin Hood, then it seems the concept was thrown completely out the window.
Instead the film isn't really sure what it is - a prequel-like story telling the beginning of the legend, a King Arthur-style 'real' orgins story, a sword and sandle epic only set in England, or a traditional Robin Hood story with a few tweaks. In the end, it isn't really any of these things.
There were good aspects - after the slooow beginning half. A bit more of a realistic take on King Richard - although I wish they had gone all the way and had him speak French. I particularly liked the beginnings of the Magna Carta, although the backstory was a little insipid at least the concept got a look in. Allan-A-Dale a singing songs again was a nice touch. The cinematography was lovely although the direction/editing in the battle scenes left a lot to be desired.
The cast was good - in particular the 'merry men' (what little we saw of them) and King John - although the always brilliant Matthew McFayden as the Sheriff was woefully underused. Crowe was...adequete. I think the character, meant to bethe heart and soul of the story, was not very well written at all. He was just sort of...there, never really doing much except being occassionally good with bow, sword or club. Crowe certainly has no reason to go around complaining that Errol Flynn's tights were ridiculous and that somehow makes Crowe's version more definitive. Flynn was charasmatic. That was the difference - you were invested in his fight. In this version, Scott uses an overpowering soundtrack to tell the audience when to feel anxious, or sad, or inspired because there is not a lot coming from Crowe. He's just a bit...bland.
LOL/WTF moments:
Mark Strong in a Guy of Gibsborne-type role and yet his name is Godfrey. Why bother changing it when they kept Friar Tuck in for seemingly no particular reason?
The insipid title cards at the beginning which tell everyone in the audience exactly what they already knew.
Crowe's accent which drifted all across England, came back to Australia and even took a trip to Ireland.
The French storming the beaches of Normandy...er...I mean Dover.
Lady Marian leading some teenage boys on ponies into battle - and then reverts to damsel in distress mode. I actually really would have liked her to be the one to off Godfrey, but instead that's left to Robin, while Marian blubbers about in the shallow water because her chainmail is too heavy. Fail.
The three second ride from the North of England to the Cliffs of Dover.
Robin's 'I love you' to Marian was a bit cringeworthy - especially when the buildup had been so underplayed.
The Sheriff at the end proclaiming the outlaw "Robin Longstride, otherwise known as Robin of the Hood" when he's never been referred to as anything of the sort.
I guess these seem like petty complaints, but they are what really distanced me from the film. And maybe a lot of it has to do with the fact that I don't really like Russell Crowe and don't think he's that good of an actor. And his comments about other Robin Hood portrayals and films which are far better than his have really made him seem even more of an arrogant prat.
I didn't hate it - but it certainly hasn't reinvented nor reinvigorated the legend for me.
Instead the film isn't really sure what it is - a prequel-like story telling the beginning of the legend, a King Arthur-style 'real' orgins story, a sword and sandle epic only set in England, or a traditional Robin Hood story with a few tweaks. In the end, it isn't really any of these things.
There were good aspects - after the slooow beginning half. A bit more of a realistic take on King Richard - although I wish they had gone all the way and had him speak French. I particularly liked the beginnings of the Magna Carta, although the backstory was a little insipid at least the concept got a look in. Allan-A-Dale a singing songs again was a nice touch. The cinematography was lovely although the direction/editing in the battle scenes left a lot to be desired.
The cast was good - in particular the 'merry men' (what little we saw of them) and King John - although the always brilliant Matthew McFayden as the Sheriff was woefully underused. Crowe was...adequete. I think the character, meant to bethe heart and soul of the story, was not very well written at all. He was just sort of...there, never really doing much except being occassionally good with bow, sword or club. Crowe certainly has no reason to go around complaining that Errol Flynn's tights were ridiculous and that somehow makes Crowe's version more definitive. Flynn was charasmatic. That was the difference - you were invested in his fight. In this version, Scott uses an overpowering soundtrack to tell the audience when to feel anxious, or sad, or inspired because there is not a lot coming from Crowe. He's just a bit...bland.
LOL/WTF moments:
Mark Strong in a Guy of Gibsborne-type role and yet his name is Godfrey. Why bother changing it when they kept Friar Tuck in for seemingly no particular reason?
The insipid title cards at the beginning which tell everyone in the audience exactly what they already knew.
Crowe's accent which drifted all across England, came back to Australia and even took a trip to Ireland.
The French storming the beaches of Normandy...er...I mean Dover.
Lady Marian leading some teenage boys on ponies into battle - and then reverts to damsel in distress mode. I actually really would have liked her to be the one to off Godfrey, but instead that's left to Robin, while Marian blubbers about in the shallow water because her chainmail is too heavy. Fail.
The three second ride from the North of England to the Cliffs of Dover.
Robin's 'I love you' to Marian was a bit cringeworthy - especially when the buildup had been so underplayed.
The Sheriff at the end proclaiming the outlaw "Robin Longstride, otherwise known as Robin of the Hood" when he's never been referred to as anything of the sort.
I guess these seem like petty complaints, but they are what really distanced me from the film. And maybe a lot of it has to do with the fact that I don't really like Russell Crowe and don't think he's that good of an actor. And his comments about other Robin Hood portrayals and films which are far better than his have really made him seem even more of an arrogant prat.
I didn't hate it - but it certainly hasn't reinvented nor reinvigorated the legend for me.