Robin Hood (2010)

 

Damn, I mean: a film directed by Ridley Scott with this kind of a cast? And also the same protagonist as Scott's other historical epic 'Gladiator'? What could go wrong?

Except the fact that this is by no means a memorable or truly good film, you mean? 

Once again, we get a version of the classic Robin Hood tale. Here, we follow Robin Longstride, an archer in the army of Richard the Lionheart, back on his way from the crusades and pillaging French castles. Richard gets killed and the man responsible for bringing the crown back home - Robert Loxley - gets killed in an ambush. Robin and his men come across Robert and Robin swears to bring home the sword to Robert's father. 

This home is of course Nottingham. 

Once there, Robert's father has a proposition for Robin: to take the place of his son and thus secure their property. He also has to pretend to be the spouse of Marion, Robert's wife. And while all this is happening, the country has to contend with a spineless, arrogant whelp of a king: John. Not only that, but a close confidant of John's is in league with French king Phillip, who plans to divide the country and invade, thus ensuring he can control both crowns. 

Yes, a lot is going on. Maybe too much for one film.

This film has good points, absolutely. The cinematography is top notch, as is the case with probably every project Ridley Scott has ever been attached to. And the star-studded cast mostly does the best they can with the material they're given. Especially Mark Strong as the villainous Godfrey is superb. 

But then again: he always is. 

The main gripe with this one is that it is rather lacklustre and not memorable in the slightest. When watching, you can be entertained (see what I did there?) and it does have moments that feel good, but after the film has ended, it is hard to remeber just what exactly happened. There's nothing truly that stands out, it just meanders its way through the plot and then there's the end. 

Compare it to 'Gladiator' (because we can), which has scenes burned into the mind and lines that have almost become commonplace. This one is a far cry from that, to be sure. It's too much by the numbers and too little engagement. 

It probably is the first Robin Hood adaptation that looks historically accurate, though. 

Good for a watch, but nothing special.