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Visitors Review

2012-05-25 12:23:34

Robin Hood is like Gladiator meets Braveheart with sprinkles of Robin Hood and not in a good way.

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Dr Jacques COULARDEAU 2012-05-25 06:10:56

History seen in action

The film is not only dealing with Robin Hood, the famous and mysteriouscharacter of English history and the Forest of Sherwood. It is a lotmore, a film on the tricky period when Richard Lionheart coming backfrom his crusade is killed in a battle in France. This time when JohnLackland is taking over and has to face the attempt to invade Englandperformed by the French king Philip II Augustus. The invasion wasprepared by a treacherous friend of King John who tried to use hisfriendship to serve the interests of the French king. He submitted thenorthern part of the country to heavy taxes and a lot of violence thatcaused their rebellion against the king, which should have enabled theFrench fleet to disembark and conquer London. The film is essentiallyan adventure film but it is also based on history and it respects thathistory. The way the King manipulates the rebellious barons to gettheir help in time to defeat the French on his own beaches is theperfect case of a liar that uses the belief in divine kings of the timeonly to seize more power and deprive others from any small piece of it.We know it will take fifteen to sixteen years for an alliance to bebuilt between the barons, the church and the merchants of the City ofLondon to force that king John to come to Runnymede and accept to signthe Magna Carta that will change the world, that represents the firststep of that vast historical change that we call democracy. Fifteensmall years in the heart of feudalism to achieve that phenomenaltransformation. And that Magna Carta is so small when measured with ourown values that we are amazed by the infinitely small in history. RobinHood, who is not yet Robin Hood, since the film ends when RobinLongstride is outlawed by John Lackland, is thus only one small manamong these men, and women, who made history then, or started to makehistory, though it seems fairer to say that they were those who finallybrought England in the wake of the slowly moving boat of history. Thisaction film only becomes that historical film I am speaking of if youknow all these details of English history. Otherwise it will remain anaction film. Ridley Scott just did a good film in both directions.Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne, UniversityParis 8 Saint Denis, University Paris 12 Créteil, CEGID

2012-05-24 05:58:02

Robin Hood Origins

This is the best version of Robin Hood I've seen. The Kevin Costner one was entertaining like a popcorn flick, Mel Brook's Men in Tights was a hilarious musical spoof. The Errol Flynn and the Douglas Fairbanks versions were...well...Cheezy even though they're classics. However, this new Ridley Scott and Russel Crowe re-imagining is tougher, darker, grittier, and much more badass. The story was quite interesting and much deeper than all the previous versions, maybe a bit too deep, but nonetheless it was a fantastic journey back to back to the 12th Century to discover how Robin Longstride became Robin of the Hood. Ridley Scott is the master of historical epics (The Duellists, 1492: Conquest of Paradise, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven) and Robin Hood truly delivers in every aspect from production design to photography. I wish they would make a sequel but that's long shot. My only disappointment with this film was it didn't have the inspiring feeling that Gladiator had or the jaw dropping AWW. I'm definitely buying the Bluray/DVD combo pack.

Jeanne Kaplan 2012-05-23 16:27:48

There is no denying that Scott and Crowe work well together.

themoviemavens 2012-05-22 19:15:12

Left me nostalgic for Gladiator

I'll start out by saying that I'm only anecdotally familiar with thestory of Robin Hood. Although the Kevin Costner version came out when Iwas a teenager, and I loved the Bryan Adams theme like every otherteenage girl, I never actually got around to seeing that version of thestory. And even though I'm a huge classic film buff, I've never seenthe Errol Flynn film either.So, I came into this experience with fresh eyes. Now, you don'tapproach a Ridley Scott/Russel Crowe collaboration expecting it to bebad. I knew I was in for a quality piece of film making. And I knewthere would be inevitable comparisons to Gladiator, the first (andcareer-making) collaboration between the two. And I'll say right off,if were making the comparison, Robin Hood left me a little nostalgicfor Gladiator.Since the plot was a bit, shall we say, involved, I'll share someinsights rather than providing a blow-by-blow synopsis of the movie.This film plays heavily on themes of mistaken identity, lost identity,co-opted identity, etc. We learn about how and why Robin Hood becamethe man he is. Although, I don't believe we're ever told exactly howhe, in his heart, would come to provide the premise for this twistedmoral tale. I guess I was looking for a concrete reason why he wouldbegin stealing from the rich to give to the poor. If you're going tobother giving us the man's back story, why not include something aboutthe state in which he grew up? Did he come from poverty? When we meetRobin Hood, he's a hired hand – a mercenary fighting in the rebellionagainst then Prince John. Through a series of sometimes confusingevents, he eventually ends up impersonating the dead husband of MaidMarion, Robert of Loxley, who has been killed by the nefarious Godfrey,a double agent who's actually working with Prince Phillip of France toinvade England.I have to say, I was a little troubled that many of the villainouscharacters in this film had a strangely Middle Eastern look about them.I found it quite odd that King John vaguely resembled Uday Hussein,when in fact, he would have been about as WASPy as they come. Now, Irealize that actor Oscar Isaac is actually Guatemalan, but I don'tthink the casting was any accident. Neither, in my opinion, was thecasting of his erstwhile cohort, Godfrey, played by British actor MarkStrong. Although he is Italian and Austrian, he could also play"Terrorist #2" in any given shoot-em-up, America Kicks Foreign Butt,patriot-fest.This, to me, is the glaring failing of this film. It's something Iwould expect out of the 1938 version, but if you're going to bother totear apart and reassemble the story, and all of its characters to suitmoder-day sensibilities and expectations, why play into such rotestereotypes? And speaking of reinterpreting characters, Maid Marion hasbeen transformed into something of a modern-day feminist hero. Playedby the terribly underrated Cate Blanchett, she doesn't sulk and swoonand wait for the hero to come to her rescue. She takes her destiny intoher own hands, and becomes a heroine in her own right.A twisting, turning sequence of events leads Robin to head up a revoltagainst Godfrey's French army, to preserve the crown for now King John.In the meantime, he finds a little time for romance with therecently-widowed Maid Marion, and learns a thing or two about his past.Unfortunately, this film didn't really stay with me after I left thetheater. That, to me, is the mark of any good film. I didn't want torecommend it to friends, I didn't stay up at night, pondering its plotpoints; heck, I didn't even have the urge to look it up on IMDb.com.Any film nerd knows that's ground zero for movie geeks.Ups: Visually stunning, superb cast Downs: Plays to stereotypes, Notvery memorable In the balance: Wait for the DVD if you're a fan of thelegend YouTube - TheMovieMavens

sassi775 2012-05-22 14:54:42

Loved It!

Loved it!! Sorry to all those people who don't like it but I reallyliked this movie- plus another great & real performance by RussellCrowe. Russell does seem to have the ability to seem very "real" in hisperformances, I can only imagine the type of talent this takes. Yeahsure there are 1000's of critics out there, but honestly- you try itfor just one day & let's compare the results. Put your ego down & bereal enough to say great work! It is probably the most authentic RobinHood movie yet to be screened. Maybe all the Brits are annoyed that ittook an Aussie to do justice to the story & legend of Robin Hood. Comeon, enjoy a movie for what it is, entertainment for sure. Historychannel is for those who want documentaries... for me as I said I lovedit & can't wait for the next one, I say bring it on!!!

Eugene Pustoshkin 2012-05-22 01:33:18

Terrible movie attempting to earn money

I like Ridley Scott's movies. But in this case, I think, what mighthave gone wrong was the financial crisis that pressured Ridley Scott tooversimplify complex structure of the movie's narrative and make it aFrankensteinian monster that falls apart in the sake of business. Otherreviews emphasized different aspects of why this movie is almost adisaster for any one who loves good-quality blockbuster cinema. Here'smy take that is complementary to other mainly negative reviews.In my opinion, the Robin Hood movie started at a very good pace. Firsthalf of the movie went into a solid direction. Then the second half ofit ruined it all, with the last 15 minutes making it look more like anad flier for a forest life rather than a realistic and thoroughhistoric work of fiction. It is that dissonance between the strictrealism of the war scenes in the first part of the movie (or even thefirst one-third of it) and the pure madness of the concluding war sceneand the last 15 minutes (with unreasonable "plot" and crazy dialoguesin between those two) that makes me think that Ridley Scott probablywanted to make a very realistic movie but then the business issuesintruded and ruined everything.I see the last part of the movie as an incoherent attempt to play onthe romantic values of the primary (and the largest) target audiencefor the film (who sincerely think that peace and lost Eden is somethingthat is reached through talking, naive love, friendship, and life inthe forest). This idealistic homage to the naive views of this targetaudience departs from the promising beginning in which Ridley Scotttried to realistically portray cruel medieval life where people had tosleep on the floor, had bad teeth and disgusting odor and were ready tokill each other for money (which is in the human nature, isn't it?). Ibelieve that the necessity for film makers to earn money doesn'tcontradict profound artist's creativity and that a better solution tothe problem of movie making can be found that takes into account boththe depth of the idea for the work of art and the span of thefinancial/materialistic factors (as many cult directors such asScorcese, Wachowski, Tarantino, and others proved).Ridley, you can do it better!

judy 2012-05-21 05:23:14

Pitiful piece of movie-making

I love Russell Crowe and Kate Blanchett is usually great; but eitherone of them could save this sad, slow-moving, plot less and pitifulpiece of movie-making. I'm glad I got it from Netflix and didn't paybig money to sit through it in the theaters. I know what they weretrying to do but the writing (which is the problem with most of thefilms made in Hollywood in the last ten several years) was justatrocious. I think sometimes writers don't read the stuff they writeand see that it flows and makes sense. I can understand going forrealism about the people and how they must have lived but for got sakesthey really could have made poor Kate look less like a servant hag andmore like a noble Lady.

2012-05-21 11:11:04

This is an awesome film.

This review is from: Robin Hood (Three-Disc Unrated Director's Cut Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (Blu-ray) Just wanted to add that this film is awesome and well worth watching and buying. You will enjoy it.

Cynthia Fuchs 2012-05-20 18:12:55

An early episode establishes Robin's change, from Crusader to champion of the beleaguered and besieged, a fighter for... Muslims' rights?

Amber Wilkinson 2012-05-17 20:45:26

Entertaining but too complicated for its own good, this Robin Hood will doubtlessly make off with some good box office, but is unlikely to steal your heart.

Willie Waffle 2012-05-17 05:48:10

He might be wearing chainmail, but he's no Iron Man. He might as well wear the tights and pointy shoes!

2012-05-16 08:55:43

VERY WATCHABLE!

This review is from: Robin Hood (Two-Disc Unrated Director's Cut) (DVD) I hadn't heard anything good about this movie, but my husband wanted to see it so I ordered it from Amazon. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised! We both thoroughly enjoyed it! Good performances all round, and an interesting and different perspective on the tale of Robin Hood.

Rick Kisonak 2012-05-15 20:03:19

I'd like to be able to say that the climactic battle sequence is so spectacular it redeems the film, but it's literally too little, too late. Scott's done it all before, and better

deacon_blues-3 2012-05-14 08:13:21

History takes a back seat to Gladiator in England

A beautifully filmed and acted film, Robin Hood is visually anddramatically impressive. But what are we to make of such anhistorically off-base film? Richard I did not die in France beforereturning from the third crusade. He died in England after receivingJohn's apology for trying to grab the throne. All the stuff aboutcharters, Longstride, Locksley, yada-yada-yada, is either pure fictionor a hodge-podge of misplaced events. The film is a prequel to anintended sequel, I would assume. I know that chances are good that R.H.never actually existed (so say the modern historians for the nonce) butdoes that give us license to teach wrong history? If he did exist, hewas a local figure who became legendary, not a legendary figure whochanges from woodland outlaw into military juggernaut. The film isentertaining, but given the level of historical ignorance amongmoviegoers, this film does a disservice to the public. Gladiator was afine fictional film, but I don't see why we have to use it as atemplate to rewrite another legend that was already entertaining, anddo violence to history on the way.

Erin Free 2012-05-13 19:38:55

Robin Hood is good rather than great, ultimately falling victim to its own self-seriousness despite flashes of genuine excitement.

jeffstevens38 2012-05-10 22:28:52

Not up to scratch.

I expected so much more from this film with all the talent on show.Some of my favourite actors were in it,one of my favourite Directorswas at the helm,but the plot seemed to drift off course. I viewed theBlu Ray Director's cut,perhaps the theatrical version being shorterwould have given the story more pace.At times it was hard to follow.Thefilm had its moments with some good CGI but alas not enough to warrantthe hype or the budget.Perhaps as I have read elsewhere this is merelylaying the ground for a sequel 'Robin Hood The Legend begins' or somesuch.Like my old school reports,I would say to those involved 'Can dobetter'.

finn-palm 2012-05-10 09:43:54

Interesting take with historical ties

I just came back from the theater and I must say I was pleasantlysurprised. This new take has great actors, nice costume, great cameradirection and a solid story.The acting is very good and especially Cate Blanchet shines. Max vonSydow's English is getting better with every movie and he can finallyportray someone without a Swedish accent.The costume is well done and almost as historically accurate as one canask from a movie that tells a mostly fictional story.There are a few issues of course, that makes me lower the score.Comical relief is avoided mostly, but could have been left outaltogether in my opinion. Luckily the people used for comic relief arenot the ones you'd expect.And the final battle which is a big part of the movie annoys me greatlyin it's composition, and you will see why when you watch the movie.And what in the world *is* that weapon that Little John is wielding?Could they not come up with something more appropriate?

rcnaylor 2012-05-10 05:44:08

Neither Robin Hood, history nor good

First, with top actors, like this film, it holds the attention well,but, it has a connection to the legend/myth of Robin Hood for one clearreason: the money guys in Hollywood wanted that hook for ticket sales.This is very annoying. They could have just called it 'A commoner noblyrallies the Barons and saves England from the French", but, alas, theywould've had problems with that too. A) They fictionalize most of thefacts about King John and King Philip, and B) the audience for flicksabout English squabbles between King and Barons, and even the French,don't sell well.Of course, Robin Hood is a fictional character. So, throw his name inthere, re-write English history and add a woman doing somethingimplausible and silly (really, showing up for battle against a Frencharmy and mounted knights leading a bunch of teens on Shetland ponies?)If they hadn't tried to tie it to Robin Hood and faked pivotal eventsof English history and a document vital to all western peoples, theMagna Carta, I might give if a 5 or 6 just on popcorn value and topactors. But, now all we will have is a generation of teens that areconfused about both the myth of Robin Hood and a turning point inwestern democracy, the Magna Carta. Boo Hollywood. If you want to makea period piece from the time of King John and the Magna Carta, do it.Or Robin Hood. But both? A low even by money-is-king Hollywood bizstandards.

2012-05-09 18:34:36

My kind of Robin Hood...

I'm telling you now, if you haven't seen this film then don't judge it. So many people I know were all "not another Robin Hood movie" and "we don't need to see this" and "looks like the same `ol same" but I'm telling you, you will be pleasantly surprised. This movie has serious bite and really works within its genre, and while it has flaws and fails to be perfection it does walk a thin line and really edges itself out in the end, producing something memorable, exciting and entertaining.It does the legend justice.Telling the story of Robin Hood from a more realistic and gritty perspective, Ridley Scott's epic retelling doesn't really feel much like the Robin Hood we are all familiar with. Opening with a grandiose battle scene where King Richard The Lionheart is fatally wounded, the film follows one of his men, Robin Longstride, as he takes on the persona of a fallen warrior (one with a better reputation) and winds up fitting neatly into the mans life. In an attempt to restore the departed man's belongings back to his family, he finds that the man's father (now blind and near death) is more than willing to go along with the charade, accepting Robin as his son and even persuading his daughter-in-law, Marion, to accept him as well (begrudgingly, of course). When their small village of Nottingham becomes the target of some unwarranted aggression, Robin flexes his warrior muscle and begins to (attempt to) restore some much needed peace to the people.Add a dash of political betrayals and believably mature sexual tension and you have a remarkable well rounded film for adults and teenagers alike.Russell Crowe has a knack for playing these kind of warm hearted heroes. He's done it many times before (`Gladiator', `Cinderella Man', `Master and Commander') and it never grows old with me. He understands the dynamics of this man and portrays him effortlessly. For those who saw the trailer and assumed that this was `Gladiator' redux, understand that you are mistaken and watch the film already. This is not just a remake of a similar styled film but a whole entity all its own.The directorial efforts here are outstanding. For those who love them some swords and sandals type epics, Scott knows how to piece these together the right way, and it shows. The battle scenes here are phenomenally structured and feel intense, raw and brutal despite the shielded PG-13 rating. The cinematography is equally impressive. The way that these actors and set pieces are framed is intoxicating to watch. The acting is also a treat. Crowe and Blanchett are two of the best actors working today (we all know I worship the ground that Crowe acts on) and they show their strengths carrying this film. I loved the subtle yet forceful upheaval that Blanchett does on Marion, creating a very different character than one we are used to. The cast is rather expansive and quite stunning when you think about it. Besides Crowe and Blanchett you have Max von Sydow, William Hurt, Eileen Atkins, Danny Huston and fresh faces like Matthew Macfadyen, Oscar Isaac and Mark Strong (not to mention Mark Addy, who I kind of adore). Everyone (for the most part) soaks up their assignment and delivers top notch. Seriously, the one issue I do have with the film is that there are awkward moments (especially in the beginning) where it was clear that Scott wasn't sure what direction he wanted to go, thematically, with the film. When he tries too hard to pay homage to the original interpretations he comes off a tad clunky and unrealistic (some of the dialog spilled in the films outset was unintentionally humorous and took you out of the film instead of placing you in it) but when he allowed his personal vision to take precedent the film soared. It may seem like a small quibble, but it was popped up enough in parts to take this film down a peg for me (thus the B+ grade as apposed to an A).All in all though, this film is a MUST SEE. It is far from your typical (forgettable) summer movie blockbuster. This action flick has guts and a richness about it that makes it above average!