Robin Hood (2010)
BB
(out of 5)
The legend that has been the fodder of adventure tales for centuries is given the historical treatment in this bloated epic by Ridley Scott. Russell Crowe is the English soldier who returns from the crusades broken and tired, finding his country in a state of heavy taxation and corrupt government when Prince John (Oscar Isaac) takes over the throne from his dead brother Richard (Danny Huston). Befriending Marion Loxley (Cate Blanchett), the widow of one of his fallen soldiers, Robin of Longstride gathers up his buddies to deal with the injustices of their village that leads to a campaign against the crown, one that will (erroneously) write his name in the history books forever. Scott has put much thought and planning into finally telling a historically-based account of the name behind the legend, but what he has come up with has all the entertaining zip of a Sunday School lesson. Sure, Errol Flynn’s felt cap was far too bright a green and Kevin Costner couldn’t be bothered to fake an English accent, but those guys knew how to have a good time. This film is dreary and dull, and doesn’t make up for its lack of entertaining action by featuring any riveting historical drama; in fact, most of the dialogue scenes that “accurately” depict the history of the time period just feel like dry versions of the filler scenes that padded the screenplays of better Robin Hood movies between bow-and-arrow fights or rescues of maidens. It’s a shame, particularly as Crowe and Blanchett are terrific together on screen and very well cast.
USA/United Kingdom, 2010
Directed by Ridley Scott
Story by Brian Helgeland, Ethan Reiff, Cyrus Voris, Screenplay by Brian Helgeland
Cinematography by John Mathieson
Produced by Russell Crowe, Brian Grazer, Ridley Scott
Music by Marc Streitenfeld
Production Design by Arthur Max
Costume Design by Janty Yates
Film Editing by Pietro Scalia
Cast Tags: Abraham Belaga, Alan Charlesworth, Alan Doyle, Andrea Ware, Arthur Darvill, Bronson Webb, Cate Blanchett, Chris Jared, Ciaran Flynn, Danny Clarke, Danny Huston, David Bertrand, Denis Ménochet, Denise Gough, Douglas Hodge, Eileen Atkins, Eric Rulliat, Gerard McSorley, Giannina Facio, Hannah Barrie, Jack Downham, Jake Curran, James Burrows, James Hamilton,Jamie Beamish, Jessica Raine, John Atterbury, John Nicholas, John O’Toole,Jonathan Zaccaï, Joseph Hamilton, Kevin Durand, Léa Seydoux, Lee Battle, Lisa Millett, Lothaire Gerard, Luke Evans, Mark Addy, Mark Lewis Jones, Mark Ryder, Mark Strong, Mat Laroche, Matthew Macfadyen, Max von Sydow, Ned Dennehy, Nick Lucas, Nicky Bell, Nicolas Simon, Oscar Isaac, Pip Carter, Ralph Ineson, Richard Riddell, Robert Pugh, Roy Holder, Ruby Bentall, Russell Crowe, Samuel Dupuy, Scott Grimes, Simon McBurney, Steve Evets, Stuart Martin, Thomas Arnold, Tom Blyth, Velibor Topic,William Hurt, Zuriel De Peslouan
Screen Actors Guild Award Nomination
Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble
