Robin Hood

Most people would be hard pressed to give Robin Hood a bad review. There are too many opportunities to be entertained throughout the two hours of filmmaking. I think it is good, and I’ll watch it again.

Robin Hood is, however, deeply flawed. There are plot points that are bizarre, character revelations that are frustrating, and one of more cringe-worthy moments I’ve experienced at the cinema in 2010. I won’t reveal the moment because I’m hoping everyone who goes and sees the movie will know what I’m talking about.

I was confused throughout most the movie, not because it was hard to follow, but because the two following questions kept slapping me in the face:

First, why is this film about Robin Hood?

My guess: Well, I’m assuming that would come down to Ridley Scott needing a pre-existing audience with a story relating to the crusades a subject that has fascinated him in the past. This, of course, is fine with me. Directors can do whatever the fuck they want.

I’m also assuming Scott wanted an action-heavy plot with a pre-existing audience. (Robin Hood is a superhero story when it comes down to it.)

If he gets a pre-existing audience the budget can inflate. I agree with big-budgeted films that go for any audience possible. Michael Bay does this to great success. The films’ characters suffer, but the special-effects budgets flourish due to huge box office expectations.

And second, why are so many big-budgeted films obliged to satisfy a female audience merely by having a contrived Xena-Warrior-Princess style character?

My guess: I’m guessing Lady Marion was never written as a sword-wielding, Xena-style character, but pressure came down from studio execs to make the film more female-friendly. Again, this is fine…directors can do whatever the fuck the want.

But look, having a female character intervene courageously in a fight, only to be defeated by a villain, and then have a male hero come in and save her undermines the feminist undertone. Kill Bill is a real female-warrior film. In Robin Hood these elements feel contrived. It feels similar to a Michael Bay film at moments – an unfortunate consequence of having a 200+ million dollar budget.

Regardless, of my above thoughts, Robin Hood thrives on its performances and action-sequences. Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett perform well as Robin Hood and Lady Marion. I don’t know how the movie will be received with the common viewer. The action sequences, set design, and costumes are deeply admirable from a cinemaphile’s point of view.

But what of the common public? Will the film’s odd storyline sit well with the common viewer? Do people care about huge battle sequences? Or do they just care about technolust and robots transforming? These questions will be answered the second weekend of box office when word-of-mouth gets out. I don’t say this often, but I smell a box office flop. Lastly, I should mention that Oscar Isaac’s performance as Prince John shines. I wish his character occupied more of the story. Oh well…

Release day: May 2010
Collin Says: B-

You’ll say: B