He might be wearing chainmail, but he's no Iron Man. He might as well wear the tights and pointy shoes!
Set in the 12th Century, Russell Crowe stars as Robin Longstride - one of the King's best archers, who is returning from King Richard The Lionheart's crusade to the Middle East. Along the way, the King and his men are plundering the countryside, especially in France, and Robin isn't all that happy with it.
Once the King is killed in battle, Robin and his buddies, Little John (Kevin Durand), Wil Scarlett (Scott "Yep, the redheaded dude from ER" Grimes) and Allan A'Dayle (Alan Doyle), seize the opportunity to break away and head back home. Of course, it won't be that easy.
Robin and his (merry?) men come across the results of a French ambush, and our hero agrees to grant a dying British knight's wish. Sir Robert Loxley (Douglas Hodge) wants Robin to return a treasured family sword to his hometown of Nottingham.
What will Robin find in Nottingham?
How will he respond when the new King, John (Oscar Isaac), sends his henchmen to collect exorbitant taxes from the people?
Will he recognize the lead henchman, Godfrey (Mark Strong), as a former foe?
After a great week with Iron Man 2, Robin Hood leads a week of OK movies. It's the quintessential film that isn't atrocious, isn't amazing, isn't dreadful, but doesn't excite the audience to heights of ecstasy.
As you would expect from a film directed by Ridley Scott, Robin Hood has lots of big battle scenes, swordfights, thousands of arrows flying through the air, people screaming NOOOOOOO in slow motion and more. It has moments of great spectacle, even if it doesn't have moments of great emotion, romance and comedy, when it tries to hit on those.
Not that Scott and writer Brian Helgeland fail to deliver romance, comedy and emotion. It's that they are better at fight scenes and showing us the massive battles than capturing lovey dovey scenes that warm your heart.
Robin Hood has some funny moments that show promise of good chemistry between our leading man and the gang playing his merry men, while Crowe performs with a perfect mix of reserved, reflective, fierce and charming. Yes, Crowe made me laugh a couple times, and on purpose!
2 ½ Waffles (Out of 4)
Robin Hood is rated PG-13 for violence including intense sequences of warfare, and some sexual content.
Once the King is killed in battle, Robin and his buddies, Little John (Kevin Durand), Wil Scarlett (Scott "Yep, the redheaded dude from ER" Grimes) and Allan A'Dayle (Alan Doyle), seize the opportunity to break away and head back home. Of course, it won't be that easy.
Robin and his (merry?) men come across the results of a French ambush, and our hero agrees to grant a dying British knight's wish. Sir Robert Loxley (Douglas Hodge) wants Robin to return a treasured family sword to his hometown of Nottingham.
What will Robin find in Nottingham?
How will he respond when the new King, John (Oscar Isaac), sends his henchmen to collect exorbitant taxes from the people?
Will he recognize the lead henchman, Godfrey (Mark Strong), as a former foe?
After a great week with Iron Man 2, Robin Hood leads a week of OK movies. It's the quintessential film that isn't atrocious, isn't amazing, isn't dreadful, but doesn't excite the audience to heights of ecstasy.
As you would expect from a film directed by Ridley Scott, Robin Hood has lots of big battle scenes, swordfights, thousands of arrows flying through the air, people screaming NOOOOOOO in slow motion and more. It has moments of great spectacle, even if it doesn't have moments of great emotion, romance and comedy, when it tries to hit on those.
Not that Scott and writer Brian Helgeland fail to deliver romance, comedy and emotion. It's that they are better at fight scenes and showing us the massive battles than capturing lovey dovey scenes that warm your heart.
Robin Hood has some funny moments that show promise of good chemistry between our leading man and the gang playing his merry men, while Crowe performs with a perfect mix of reserved, reflective, fierce and charming. Yes, Crowe made me laugh a couple times, and on purpose!
2 ½ Waffles (Out of 4)
Robin Hood is rated PG-13 for violence including intense sequences of warfare, and some sexual content.
