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Robin Hood (2010) ironclad Send a noteboard - 14/05/2010 01:23:47 PM


There was a lot of chaos as far as the creation of this movie was concerned over the last couple of years. First they said it would be from Nottingham's point of view, then that Crowe would play both the Sheriff and Robin. Did it turn into just another Robin Hood film with a staff fight across a creek and playing pranks on the Sheriff? Not quite.

Let's start with the cast. It's excellent. Who would have thought we would ever see Kevin "Lost's Keamy" Durand in a role of a good guy? Well, here he's Little John. And while Robin's accomplices do not have such a big role they are well picked (Scott "E.R." Grimes is Will, Mark "soon Robert Baratheon" Addy is Tuck). Cate Blanchett is outstanding as always, her Marian is much closer to Eowyn than to the character's former incarnations. Matthew Macfadyen has the ungrateful job of being the Sheriff after Alan Rickman, but makes the best of the few scenes he has. Mark "Kick-Ass" Strong, villain of the hour as it seems, adds another diabolic badass to his list of characters. Newcomer Oscar Isaac is wonderfully slimy and untrustworthy as Prince John. Then there are also Max von Sydow, William Hurt, Danny Huston, fine names all around. Russel Crowe is just himself, but that works great.

The film should actually be called "Robin of Loxley" or "Robin Hood Begins". People should not expect to see him going through Sherwood forest, giving Nottingham a hard time. This is the story before all that. There are many more levels to this, a lot of court intrigues, treason, great battle scenes at the beginning and end of the film, some dots of humor and, of course, romance. One of the most outstanding features of the film is that it actually feels medieval. There is hardly any CGI used and that shows. The atmosphere feels realistic, people spit while they talk and getting out of their armor (which is making a lot of noise while you are walking) can be quite challenging. The cinematography is gorgeous, sometimes even breathtaking, the soundtrack fitting and really nice.

The film is two hours 30 minutes long but never feels like it, it flows pretty well. By the time the beautifully animated end credits are rolling you really wish to stay with Robin and his men for a little longer and get to see the parts of the story we all know from so many films. It's yelling "Sequel" pretty loudly. That's probably not the worst thing to say about a film.
Oh, and after the first few minutes I did not think of Gladiator even once anymore.

8 out of 10 crowns.
*MySmiley*

You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.
This message last edited by ironclad on 14/05/2010 at 01:49:14 PM
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Robin Hood (2010) - 14/05/2010 01:23:47 PM 2242 Views
I doubt I'll be watching it. - 14/05/2010 01:28:44 PM 603 Views
Re: I doubt I'll be watching it. - 14/05/2010 01:31:00 PM 647 Views
Re: I doubt I'll be watching it. - 14/05/2010 01:35:48 PM 631 Views
It is very, very tough to walk from France to England - 15/05/2010 12:51:20 AM 727 Views
I'm not too fussed by it - 14/05/2010 04:11:46 PM 725 Views
I dunno, we watched it dubbed *NM* - 14/05/2010 05:50:48 PM 282 Views
If this is an origin story why is Robin Hood being played by a bloated guy in his late 40's? *NM* - 14/05/2010 06:12:04 PM 410 Views
That is an excellent question. *NM* - 14/05/2010 06:27:19 PM 311 Views
Ridley Scott <3 Russel Crowe = Gladiator + Arrows *NM* - 14/05/2010 07:48:51 PM 334 Views
Because very few people come back from a 10-year crusade in their 20s? *NM* - 15/05/2010 12:39:00 AM 313 Views
The Robin Hood as a crusader is an unnecessary modern addition anyway. *NM* - 15/05/2010 05:34:31 PM 305 Views
But its necessary to establish his bona fides as a warrior. - 15/05/2010 11:42:15 PM 653 Views
Only in bad/ lazy film making. - 18/05/2010 12:05:30 PM 642 Views
A depiction of the first Tea Party, & the origin of the first right-wing militia movement!! - 15/05/2010 01:29:45 AM 699 Views
ummm - 15/05/2010 10:06:11 AM 592 Views
Did you actually READ the post, or have some sort of bot replying? - 19/05/2010 02:51:27 PM 652 Views
I didn't like it very much. - 15/05/2010 06:52:31 AM 799 Views
Russell Crowe, let me count the ways I hate you... - 15/05/2010 06:02:07 PM 678 Views
It's odd how often I hear that - 16/05/2010 12:17:06 PM 631 Views
I also don't think he's a good actor - 18/05/2010 09:49:12 PM 634 Views
Insider, rubbish? What the hell? *NM* - 18/05/2010 09:59:21 PM 330 Views
You know we don't always agree on movies - 18/05/2010 10:07:27 PM 585 Views
- 18/05/2010 10:27:02 PM 750 Views
He was good in Master and Commander - 19/05/2010 02:23:48 PM 853 Views
Can't wait to see it. *NM* - 17/05/2010 05:37:39 PM 297 Views
Why a spoon, cousin? - 18/05/2010 03:27:46 AM 660 Views

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