Robin Hood (2010) - R. Scott's grand film of the English legend

♥♥♥♥

 

1 Film Excess nomination:

Best Production Design: Arthur Max (lost to Boardwalk Empire S1)

 

Russell Crowe looks like a distinctly different kind of Robin Hood than we have seen before on this poster for Ridley Scott's film of that legend

 

This review is based on the director's cut edition of the film.

 

In the late 12th century, Robin Hood serves under the war-mongering King Richard Lionheart, but when he gets killed, Robin escapes for home with a group of soldiers. In England, the throne now goes to the idiotic John.

English master director Ridley Scott (Gladiator (2000)) and the producers get an incredible lot out of their admittedly gigantic budget here: Robin Hood is a fiercely handsome, modern swashbuckler with beautiful sceneries and a luxurious cast to suit it: Russell Crowe (No Way Back (1995)) and Cate Blanchett (Hanna (2011)) are sweet together. Danny Huston (Children of Men (2006)), Léa Seydoux (Traceless (2010)), William Hurt (The Host (2013)), Mark Strong (Fever Pitch (1997)), Mark Addy (The Full Monty (1997)) and Max von Sydow (Pelle the Conqueror/Pelle Erobreren (1987)), in the touching part as the father of the fallen Loxley, complete the ensemble.

Robin Hood is a heady mix of strong fight scenes, romance, excitement and fun. Only its climax isn't right; it doesn't feel like a part of the rest of the film: The Troy/Saving Private Ryan-like CGI-heavy invasion from the sea and overly bloodthirsty Hood of the finale somehow wasn't how the film was supposed to end. Also, Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)) isn't altogether confident as the villainous John; plus he looks outlandish with blue contact lenses.

Still, Robin Hood, which is written by Brian Helgeland (A Knight's Tale (2001)), is still a thoroughly enjoyable, grand piece of entertainment.

 

Related posts:

 

Ridley Scott:  Prometheus (2012) or, Even Then, Space Eggs Were Bad News

2010 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED III]

2010 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II]

2010 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]

2010 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess

American Gangster (2007) - Great American - now black - gangster picture
A Good Year (2006) - Ridley Scott likes Provence

Top 10: The best big flop movies reviewed by Film Excess to date  
Blade Runner (1982) director's cut - Visual extravaganza, great SF 
Alien (1979) or, Space Eggs Are Bad News 

Listen to a part of the film's score here

Cost: 200 mil. $

Box office: 321.6 mil. $

= Big flop

[Robin Hood premiered May 12 (UK and Ireland) and runs 140 minutes, with a director's cut edition of 156 minutes. The spec script that Helgeland took story elements from was bought for a 7-figure amount in 2007. Crowe was paid a hefty 20 mil. $ against 20 % of the gross. Scott was not happy with any of the previous Robin Hood adaptations and got Helgeland involved to rewrite the script. Production was delayed due to writers and actors strikes. Filming took place in England and Wales from March - August 2009. The film opened #2, behind holdover hit Iron Man 2, to a 36 mil. $ first weekend in North America, where it fell out of the top 5 after 4 weeks and grossed 105.2 mil. $ (32.7 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were the UK with 23.1 mil. $ (7.2 %) and France with 18.2 mil. $ (5.7 %). Roger Ebert was critical of the film, giving it only 2 stars, equal to two notches harder than this review. Robin Hood is rotten at 43 % with a 5.4 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

 

What do you think of Robin Hood?