Reviewed by Alicia Glass

Review Rating: 7

Spoilers hit the bulls-eye!

A very different take on the story of Robin Hood, wherein an archer in the army of King Richard takes up arms against invaders of his homeland, and becomes a legend.

Why, oh why Mister Ridley Scott, famed director of such amazements as Kingdom of Heaven, Gladiator, and Bladerunner, present us loyal fans with something like this? It seems cruel. Your movies have never needed an ending so abrupt you might as well have splashed TO BE CONTINUED in big Back to the Future font on the screen. The grit and realism that Russel Crowe brought to Gladiator has no place in a movie that’s supposed to be about Robin Hood! The legend of Hood, despite the real deaths that do go on, is generally considered light-hearted and free-spirited, not this take-the-money-and-run vigilante you’ve got going on. The Sheriff is barely involved, and when he is, he’s a figure of ridicule, not fear. Prince John becomes King John, sure I’m with you, but Hood is only declared an outlaw officially by almost the very end of the movie, and that’s over a matter of jealousy on King John’s part. Wow.

Too much realism! Robin Hood really doesn’t need to be about England versus France, John versus his mother (Eleanor of Aquitaine, double wow), and all that nonsense. Sure we have the gang: Will Scarlett, Alan A’Dayle, Little John and Friar Tuck and all that, but their attempts at humor and comraderie seem to fall short during the big epic battle scenes where everyone’s dying all around you. Robin doesn’t even get a Moorish companion this time, aw. Cate Blanchett delivers a fine performance for Maid Marion, although rightly she should be called Matron Marian at that point. Being married and all. *thud*

It’s big, it’s epic, as most of Ridley Scott’s films are. But for those of us who’ve loved Robin Hood since childhood, it’s a rather dark and depressing take on a Hero!