SYNOPSIS:
Discover the untold story of the man behind the legend as Robin, a heroic warrior, turns outlaw when he assembles a band of skilled marauders to confront injustice and lead an uprising against a weak and corrupt English King. When the rebellious hero falls for the spirited Lady Marion (Academy Award® winner Cate Blanchett†), he must first save her village and then confront a growing storm of threats from near and afar if he is to win her heart. As Robin and his men answer a call to ever-greater adventure, these unlikely heroes set off to battle for their country and return England to glory ... And ride into Legend.
MOVIE REVIEW:
Most audience of today will not have seen the portrayal of Robin Hood by Hollywood legend Errol Flynn. However, the 1991 version starring ex A-list actor Kevin Costner (before his ego took him to Waterworld) might ring a bell for the nineties movie goers of the much beloved character on the big screen.
Employing a more believable perspective and the plotting intertwine with actual historical events and characters, the script by Brian Helgeland deserved a merit for being daringly different, distancing from the somewhat legendary folklore Robin Hood that we are used to.
The award-winning and once in-demand (till his prima donna ways got the better of him) Russell Crowe reunites with his Gladiator helmer Ridley Scotts for this retelling. Crowe plays Robin Longstride, an archer who is tasked by a dying knight to deliver his sword back to his father in Nottingham. In doing so, Robin and his merrymen soon entangled themselves in a French invasion of England and a romance with Lady Marion (Cate Blanchett). I shall spare you the exhausting details about the evil Sir Godfrey (Mark Strong) who has ties with the French and the incapability of King John (Oscar Isaac) for the reconstruction of the many subplots and characters on paper will be much of a somber affair.
On hindsight, Scott should have left this project in the hands of another director. This retelling reeks like a combination of his award-winning Gladiator and King of Heaven despite the ingenious attempt by Helgeland to embark on an origin story in the likes of what Christopher Nolan did to Batman. Many audiences will find Oscar Isaac’s King John eerily familiar, remember Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus anyone? While there is a certain level of revelation by the second act in Batman Begins, Robin Hood took a much longer route to unveil the Sherwood hero. And not to spoil your viewing experience, Scott actually took 156 minutes (in this director’s cut) that by the time you are rubbing your hands for some Nottingham adventures and Merrymen’s antics, the credits disappointingly starts to roll.
Technically speaking, Scott is still at his very best, giving the audience impressively staged battles, hand-to-hand combat and absolutely memorizing set design and lush cinematography minus the numerous cheesy CG backdrops seen in Gladiator.
People complained of Russell Crowe being too old to play the hero. The 45 year old for the record is indeed the oldest actor ever to take on the role but his intense weight loss did helped him to restore some of his former glory. Together with the always reliable Cate Blanchett, the pair actually portrayed a convincing onscreen lovebirds amidst all the political struggles, corruption and battles. Supported by veterans such as Max Von Sydow, William Hurt, Danny Huston and resident villain, Mark Strong, the cast members make another great assembly by the British director. All the more, valid reasons to give this title a chance.
This Director’s Cut edition restores some of the 'missing' subplots including the forest children but considering the already bloated running time, most audience will be worn out before the majestic D-day style end battle.
For all the sweeping glory and grandeur concoct by Scott and company, how much you enjoy Robin Hood depends solely on your definition of him. Do you like your Robin to be in his campy green tights or Scotts’ version, a Knight equipped with clunky armor and sword? "And so the legend begins…".
SPECIAL FEATURES :
There are 10 Deleted Scenes included for the Extras if you can’t enough of Robin Hood and gang..
AUDIO/VISUAL:
The Dolby Digital 5.1 transfer is stellar, guarantees to give you an immersive experience. The visual of this period movie tends to be dark and grim, perhaps intentional to give it a more medieval feel.
MOVIE RATING :
 
DVD
RATING :
Review
by Linus Tee
Posted
on 14 October 2010 |
