Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood is a prequel to the classic myth that bears only a basic resemblance to the story you’ve heard. It tells the tale of a green-clad archer who becomes a people’s champion fighting against an oppressive government alongside a merry company of misfits and makeshift warriors. Unfortunately that’s where the similarities end. Ridley Scott seems less interested in adapting the classic folk myth than in retreading ground he’d covered in Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven. And to his credit, his charismatically grim and violent portrayal of the crusades is some of his best directing in recent years. On a purely aesthetic level it’s among the best action epics.
The downside is that the movie feels less like Robin Hood and more like Ridley Scott’s greatest hits. If you’ve seen the beginning fight scene in Gladiator then you’ve already seen the best part of this movie. If you sat through the occasionally tedious drama of Kingdom of Heaven then you’ve already seen the worst part of Robin Hood. Even Russell Crowe, who gives a technically good performance, feels like he was pulled right off the set of Gladiator, lacking any of Robin Hood’s flamboyant charisma. Cate Blanchett, who somehow looks younger than ever, delivers some of her stage presence that Crowe lacks in her role as Marion. The supporting cast is solid but don’t give any memorable performances. Considering the talented cast (including Mark Strong, Max von Sydow, William Hurt) this could have been a far more compelling drama. Thankfully, what this movie lacks in exciting drama it makes up for with plenty of exciting action. Like Avatar, if you can forgive the bold but stupid hero speeches, the unoriginality, and the time wasted on unconvincing character development, you’re in for a real treat.
The movie ends exactly where you’d expect a Robin Hood movie to begin, making it feel more like a set-up to a sequel that may or may not happen. All in all, Robin Hood isn’t bad. It’s a decent to good movie that begs unfortunate comparisons to far better films.