So I know, I know, for my supposed #3 most anticipated summer film of 2010, it took me a while to see this one. In my defense, I was out of town on weekend #1, busy last week and decided to see Iron Man 2 again on weekend #2, so I just got around to it, ok? That being said, here we are, Robin Hood.. one of the truly legendary characters in the Anglo-American tradition and a character that has appeared time and time again in film, books and popular media. This is not your grandma's Robin Hood, the swaggering prankster prancing about in green tights and shooting at people with arrows but never actually killing anyone, instead using the arrows to perform tricks and spark laughter among the townspeople. This is a badass epic Robin Hood who performs epic feats, leads armies and racks up ridiculous kill numbers while serving as an inspiration to his followers and the population of Nottingham. Count me in. There's some serious talent involved in this one: Ridley Scott (Alien, Gladiator, Blade Runner, Kingdom of Heaven, American Gangster, Black Hawk Down) has some of the most legit action/epic credentials in Hollywood, and has had several successful collaborations with star Russell Crowe, who after years of running from being type-cast at what he's best at, returns to his epic badass roots. No one makes cleaving someone's skull as believable and awesome as our boy Russ, that drunken bastard of an Australian. Cate Blanchette comes in as a Maid Marian for our own time - she's no damsel in distress, and our brave Robin Longstride needs her just as much and more than she needs him. So we've got legit directing and acting chops from the leads - how many huge summer pictures feature two stars with Best Actor/Actress Oscars? The Supporting cast more than holds their own as well, featuring William Hurt as a leading English noble, Max von Sydow as Sir Walter Loxley and Mark Strong as the treacherous Godfrey, who secretly serves the French king. This is a Robin Hood origin story - Robin Hood's Batman Begins, so to speak. Don't come here expecting pranks, prancing, and noble robbery (at least too much of it). Come here expecting a complicated and layered quasi-historical tale that seeks to explain how a legendary figure first achieved his legendary status during one of the darkest and most convoluted times in English history.
The story opens with King Richard the Lionheart sacking his way through France on his way back to England after being gone on Crusade for 10 years. His brother, the weak, womanizing and cowardly Prince John, has fallen under French influence and knows little of what truly makes a King. While the French plot on the English crown, the Lion falls victim to a stray arrow. Robin Longstride, accompanied by his loyal companions Will Scarlett, Alan A'Dayle and Little John, common soldiers in Richard's army, concoct a plan to return to England. A fateful decision to return a fallen Knight's family sword shapes all of their fates. While England is bankrupted as a result of Richard's endless warmaking, John decides a tax must be levied on his citizens, while France seeks to capitalize on England's weakness. Robin shows his mettle as a leader, saving his town, speaking in favor of liberty and leading the charge against the French. Robin Hood's status is expanded greatly here.. he becomes a figure of English national importance, not merely a minor annoyance to the King's taxmen.
This film is immensely rewarding. It's fun, action-packed, relatively true to history, epic, and features a plot geared towards people capable of following a complex series of characters and events, rather than being spoon-fed like so many big features. Some of the battle sequences are ridiculously epicAs a fan of Scott and Crowe's, I loved this movie - it's like a less epic gladiator, and it's like no Robin Hood movie you've ever seen. Is it an action flick? Is it an epic? Is it a history of the origins of the Magna Carta? Yes.
8/10
No comments:
Post a Comment