Robin Hood

Critic's Rating: 3.0
Cast: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong, Max von Sydow
Direction: Ridley Scott
Genre: Drama
Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes


Movie Review: This is one more collaboration between the ace duo of director Ridley Scott and actor Russell Crowe. Yet, sadly, it ain't no Gladiator, neither in terms of histrionics nor on the scale of an epic. Blame it solely on the story. Scott has chosen on a period of time before the legend of Robin (of the) Hood was actually born. Naturally, this is a more conventional Robin who doesn't break the rules, doesn't infringe the laws and is quite unlike the flamboyant outlaw that we have got used to seeing as the quintessential Robin Hood character. Even his arch enemy, the Sheriff of Nottingham, hasn't evolved as a full blown foe and remains in the shadow as the bad guy's mantle is donned by a new character: Godfrey, the French spy, who has no qualms of conscience bartering away the prestige of the throne of England to the scheming French. All that the Sheriff gets to do is force a kiss on the feisty Marion, as she ploughs her fields and fobs him off. Alan Rickman, (the unforgettable Sheriff in the Kevin Costner version) where art thou!


So, the point we are trying to emphasise here is the fact that the action is missing in this version of Robin Hood, which ends with the suffix: The legend begins...or something like that. Unlike the brigand who leads his merry men through one high-testosterone archery encounter after the other in the earlier versions, this Robin is a more genteel hero who bathes, dines and breakfasts the bourgeois way. No rough and tumble and real fighting for him. Even his romance with Lady Marion is fleeting and sedate and cries out for Bryan Adam's brusque ode to love: remember `Everything I Do...'

But comparisons are indeed odious. So, no complaints. And that's because Russell Crowe actually lends gravitas to the mythical character and gives him a Gladiatorial avatar, even as Cate Blanchett creates an alpha woman out of the uber feminine prototype of Maid Marion, who usually can't do without the protection of Robin Hood's brawny shoulders. But not our lady, who knows how to defend herself, well and proper.

Go watch this version, because the sequel is bound to follow. And then, we are sure, all hell will break lose....Savour the lull before the storm.