MOVIE REVIEW – Robin Hood

For their fifth joint participation, Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe reinterpret the myth of Robin Hood by insufflating a new destiny to him. So only it was sufficient with this spectacular meaningless production which replaces passion and humanity by a too full content with special battles and effects.
At the end from the 12th century, England and France hate themselves, developing machinations to invade themselves mutually. Robin (played by Russel Crowe) has enough on the fights, he seeks an only little quietude, perhaps even in the arms of Lady Marianne (played by Cate Blanchett). But the malicious Godfrey (played by Mark Strong) decides some differently when he decides to control Nottingham and its inhabitants. To defend them, a man who controls the arc and arrows – as his community – decide to take the weapons.
We do not finish any more to rediscover this legend of the Middle Ages. On the strict cinematographic level, after the very succeeded versions of 1922 and 1938, and the televised series which starred Richard Greene, all were known as on this enjolor outlaw who lives in the forest of Sherwood. That did not prevent feature-length films from periodically being born. After rout of his unequal Kingdom of Heave (at least the version presented in rooms, not that lengthened which is found on DVDs), Ridley Scott revisits this time with such a forgettable result, returning this time at the source (large fashion) of (super) hero, exploring his particular course and the relation with his father assassinated by a cheating character.
An pass key intrigue which takes its rise with difficulty so much the scenario is badly developed, quickly flying over the characters and the places, seeking with all to say without never explaining the major motivations. That gives a first part which is far from being enthralling, the film enthusiast being sometimes more attentive to raise the historical errors than to follow the routs of not very charismatic beings. The whole is replaced fortunately thereafter when Robin and Marianne are together in joint scenes. The Australian duet functions with wonder and for rare once, the scenario writer somewhat releases his serious, allowing one or two funnier scenes, lighter.
His bad habits return quickly to the gallop. Nonsatisfied to finally have sat his cherished couple, he feels obliged to offer new combat violent one, muscular confrontations and very aggressive speeches. In the passing, it is impossible not to think of the superiors Braveheart, and even Gladiator which sometimes happened to put full the sight of it. Until the final confrontation, more ridiculous than convincing, which makes laugh involuntarily, with this idle on the face of Crowe and his superhuman efforts to help the being of his heart.
Very convincing technician but with the personality now doubtful, the director of Blade Runner (what it can be far this time blessed by gods) can be however well surrounded. Everyone is ready to turn with him, which equips his works with fantastic distributions, as it is also the case here, with the presence of Max von Sydow, William Hurt, Mark Strong (in very villlain, as usual) and of Lea Seydoux. Beautiful names which are not always able to be put forward so much the characters are drawn with the large soft lead pencil, with these French from the Hell who only seek to plunder and to violate.
In front of this Robin Hood of year 0, the spectator will be able to even regret the extremely honey version of Kevin Reynolds where Kevin Costner and Bryan Adams competed to dissolve the heart of the women. How can it be different with a tale schematized with possible, stagnating under a horde of melodies, interchangeable combat and surface current stakes (these people without money evokes the spectrum of the economic crisis)? Another product without heart which enormously has difficulty to allure and to divert. The roof for something which was built only for this purpose.

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Posted by Kevin H on Jun 4 2010. Filed under Entertainment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.