Robin Hood

If you were going to see this movie expecting to see men in tights, you might come away disappointed: this is not the Robin Hood we know from such movies as Prince of Thieves (and definitely not the one we know from Men in Tights!). A more appropriate title for the movie would have been "Robin Longstride" (Robin Hood's actual name), but that might not have the drawn the crowds sufficiently. This is an origin story for the character of Robin Hood. It shows us the how he became the legend of those other movies. This can be somewhat of a weakness (perhaps even it's most striking) of the movie, as we don't really see Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men until the very end. This means the movie can feel somewhat as if it ends at what really is the beginning.

VERSUS

Despite this, it is an enjoyable movie, the pacing is good and there is no time for any dull moments. The battle scenes are particularly thrilling, and are definitely some of the strongest points in the movie. The battles at the start and the end of the movie are particularly engaging. The movie does at times feel as if it is a medieval version of Gladiator, especially when Robin Hood makes a speech. Overall the acting is good, with the stand out being Cate Blanchett as Lady Marion. Russell Crowe makes a believable and tougher-than-usual Robin Hood, but his accent tends to waver between a number of flavours, including what sounds like Irish and Scottish.

All in all there is nothing truly bad in this movie, but there is also not that much that sets it apart from many other action movies. If you do find yourself at the cinema, unsure of what to watch, Robin Hood would make for an entertaining hour and a half.