Robin Hood: An enchanting tale butchered horribly

By Zara Urvashi Ramaniah

Robin Hood starring Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Max von Sydow, William Hurt, Mark Strong and Oscar Isaac. Universal Pictures, 140 minutes, PG-13.

Robin Hood has received a great deal of publicity, as any movie starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett would have. Unlike their previous blockbusters of a similar genre (think Gladiator and Elizabeth), which had interesting and captivating storylines, Robin Hood falls sadly below par.

While claiming to give the legendary tale of Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest a more believable twist, the plot isn’t new, and the characters are without personality. That is, with the possible exception of Danny Huston, whose portrayal of Richard the Lionhearted is probably more accurate than the tales of his valour would have us believe.

The movie itself took too long to get started; the first 15 minutes of the movie were pointless, while the ending is unsatisfactory. As for having Great Big Sea’s Allan Doyle, the excitement was short-lived, as he was barely shown, and the Merry Men were sidelined and became a little more than extras.

Remember Robin Hood’s mantra: “steal from the rich and give to the poor,” like in Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves? Well, Crowe’s Robin Hood aspires to greater things.

There is no stealing from the rich in this movie, and the poor are really just a part of the set, to make the village more real. No, the Robin Hood of this movie not only inspires an army, repels a mighty French army from British shores, shames two monarchs, British and French, while uniting the Lords of northern England.

Not only does the movie discard many of the quirks of the legend of Robin Hood that make it so delightful—there are way too many swords, not enough bows and arrows, and a sad shortage of tights and green hats—it doesn't give the audience anything new to replace it with.

Also, Lady Marion in battle armour at the end of the movie was much too like Elizabeth I rallying her troops against the Spanish Armada in Elizabeth: The Golden Age. I'm all for artistic license if it enhances an experience, but having an armour-clad Lady Marion riding a pony and brandishing a sword can be described as nothing but ridiculous.

Despite that unfortunate battle scene at the end of the movie, where she is suddenly able to wield a sword, Blanchett makes an elegant and rather fiery Lady Marion. Russell Crowe, as always, gives an entertaining performance.

The movie was saved by their performance, when together, though Blanchett eclipsed Crowe in those scenes. The onscreen chemistry was just right, and it's a shame there weren't more scenes of Robin Hood and Marion.

If there's a sequel (and there may be, with that vague, unsatisfactory ending) maybe Lady Marion and Robin Hood will have more time together, and maybe, just maybe, the Merry Men will appear more often.

And next time, maybe they'll remember what the stories of Robin Hood are supposed to embody—a hero to the unfortunate and downtrodden.

Rating: 3 out of 5

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