Robin Hood Review: Russell Crowe starrer Robin Hood, directed by Ridley Scott has failed to capture the true essence of the fabled hero and his band of merry, arrow-slinging thieves who steal from rich landowners to distribute the booty among the poor.
Ridley's version is completely new, grounded in medieval social and economic history and trying to tell the people how Robin Hood became the messiah of the poor English people.
The director has put in all the efforts needed to create a realistic, historically accurate world in which Robin would exist. It is still unclear whether the viewers will like Ridley's efforts or not. A noted film critic, Mick LaSalle said in the San Francisco Chronicle.
"Instead of the usual romantic adventure, Scott and screenwriter Brian Helgeland offer a gritty drama, using the Robin Hood story to depict the birth pangs of liberty. They ground the film in the details of medieval life. We see how wars were fought — the various strategies and weaponry — and how news traveled. We see the attempts at pomp and splendor, the church bells and trumpets greeting the arrival of the king. Mainly we see harshness and ugliness."
Kurt Loder, another big film critic is also not very much impressed by Ridley's work. "Much research has gone into getting all this medieval backstory right or somewhat right But the heavy scholarship turns the movie into what seems like a very long history lesson in a loud, dark and unusually muddy lecture hall," wrote Loder.
Crowe has done a good job but it seems that the actor is still to come out of his "Gladiator" avatar. Most critics said that Crowe was fantastic as the sword-swinging general but he has failed to do justice to Robin's role. "The way Crowe plays Robin, which is heavily, without ever once modulating his impassive, minimalist squint, he's far too even-keeled to inspire us. He's like the hero of 'Gladiator,' only without a vengeful mission — or a slave to fight," Entertainment Weekly's Owen Gleiberman wrote.
Some of the critics also found the fights in "Robin Hood" disappointing. "The battles are so bland, the action so transparently choreographed and the characters so interchangeable, it's never clear who to root for or what to care about," Andy Lowe said on TotalFilm.com.
That is it for now. We will be back with more movie reviews and news for you.
