Robin Hood
Universal Pictures
140 mins
May 14, 2010
Rated: PG-13
This is NOT the Robin Hood that you know! You can take almost everything that you have ever learned about this tale and throw it out the window. It is probably in your best interest to go into the movie without any preconceptions on the story in order to enjoy it to the fullest. This is the story of Robin Hood before he was Robin Hood…literally. The movie follows the life of Robin Longstride as he fights in King Richard’s army and makes his way back home.
There were some great moments in this movie. I did enjoy the relationship that was building between Robin and Marion. They are certainly not your traditional love at first sight couple. They brought some of the most humorous moments to the movie. As for historically accurate…it didn’t do too badly. They featured William Marshall, Prince John, King Richard and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Out of these four, I thought that Prince John was presented the best – he was scary mean. William Marshall was underused and not how I really pictured him. Eleanor had her moments – my favorite was when she walked in on John and his latest mistress and read him the riot act!
All of your favorite Robin Hood friends and foes are there too – Friar Tuck, Little John, Will Scarlet, Allan A’Dayle, Sherriff of Nottingham, Maid Marion. The Robin Hood gang had great chemistry together.
There was one scene that really felt out of place for me – this came near the end of the movie when the French were landing and Robin’s men were lined up on the shore waiting for them. My boyfriend leans over to me and says “I didn’t know that D-Day happened in the 12th century!” These scenes were so reminescent of Saving Private Ryan (and you can check out what I mean, thanks to my boyfriend's diligent effort)
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| ^Dead body in water (RH)^ ^Dead body in water (SPR)^ |
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| ^Arrows in water (RH)^ ^Missile in water (SPR)^ |
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| ^Amphibious landing (RH)^ ^Amphibious landing (SPR)^ |
I think the recent BBC television version of Robin Hood is still my favorite.
3 out of 5 stars.
Copyright © 2010 by The Maiden’s Court
Glad you enjoyed it Heather - I have yet to see this movie.
ReplyDeleteGreat comparison with Saving Private Ryan! It looks as if they were simply trying to remake it!
I also expected to dislike it but enjoyed it! My husband said the same thing about D-Day :) I don't know if either of us bought into the medieval landing craft...but hey, we could be wrong!
ReplyDeleteI actually liked that the characters were older--it's not as often that you get a good love story and adventure with a widow and a middle-aged man, and I liked that. But you're right--the timeline of putting this as a prequel to the Robin Hood legend would indicate he should have been younger.
And another WWII comparison--the actor who played Will Scarlet was Malarkey in Band of Brothers :)
Miss Moppet - I haven't seen SPR yet myself - so I didn't realize the similarities, but my boyfriend had. I just thought I had seen that scene somewhere before.
ReplyDeleteRowenna - The medieval landing craft was definitely questionable. I didn't mind that they were older, it just didn't work for the timeline. And thanks for that tidbit about Will Scarlet!