143 Minutes

A wise man once said: “There are no perfect men in the world; only perfect intentions.” -Azeem

Synopsis

During the Crusades, Robin Of Locksley is taken captive by the Turks.   He finally escapes his dungeon with a Warrior Moor, and they flee back to England together.  His land and home is not what it once was.  His father has been murdered and accused of crimes Robin is sure his father would never have committed, and instead of King Richard ruling, in his absence, The Sheriff Of Nottingham is ruling an unjust kingdom.  Robin swears a blood oath upon his fathers grave to avenge his death.  He finds himself in Sherwood Forest recruiting those who would oppose Nottingham with him.  He falls for the Lady Marian Dubois and takes on yet another challenge.  Against all odds Robin of Locksley leads a group of villagers willing to take no more and turns them into outlaws with him in order to regain their freedom and give back Richard his throne when he returns.

Review

Though this Robin Hood does not speak with an English accent this film is a wonder to take in.  The landscapes and visuals are rich and inviting, the costumes authentic, and Marians in particular breath-taking, and a script original and new, making this take on Robin Hood very different from any  before it.  The director Kevin Reynolds had an enormous concept and developed each ingredient of it fully and completely, making a fully fleshed action-adventure story that failed to lack in any department.

It often happens that time pieces come off appearing cheap and the dialogue and delivery campy, but Robin Hood suffered none of those unfortunate qualities.  In fact, it flourished in each of those departments giving a realistic quality that left the viewer able to take the story seriously.  Though it carries serious tones, there is no doubt Robin Hood was created for entertainment purposes alone.  This film is fun, engaging, and full of character’s that can’t help but be adored.

The closing credits and song by Bryan Adams at the finale really made the story feel that much more powerful.  It was an excellent choice in artist, but also in song.  The film ended on it’s lower key theme of romance and left the hopeful future of love and romance with the song, “(Everything I do) I do it for you”, which was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song.  A spectacular finish to a wonderful film.

Cast

• Kevin Costner as Robin Of Locksley
• Morgan Freeman as Azeem
• Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Marian Dubois
• Alan Rickman as The Sheriff Of Nottingham
• Christian Slater as Will Scarlett
• Micheal McShane as Friar Tuck
• Nick Brimble as Little John
• Daniel Newman as Wulf

The poetic back round music of Morgan Freeman in this film is a joy to take in.  His supporting role as Azeem worked as the cement foundation that held the story and the characters together.  His performance in this film is one of his most charismatic, but also entertaining to observe.  Alan Rickman played the villain, The Sheriff Of Nottingham, with a maniacal wickedness that played both as evil and even the occasional humorous.  Kevin Costner as Robin Of Locksley seems like a stretch but Costner’s natural charm makes him the perfect candidate in this interpretation of Robin Hood.  His dazzling personality and boyish smile makes Robin Hood balance a serious yet playful persona.  The cast simply shines.

Ratings and Suggestions

Robin Hood has all the elements of a great action-adventure love story.  It sets itself in a tale we all know and love and interprets it’s character’s in a new and fresh way.  The excellent cast and fantastic adventure story with brilliant motions of action intertwined at the necessary moments makes this an unforgettable film that shall remain in the hearts of those who have seen it forever.  This is a movie everyone should own.  Four out of Four Stars.

Popularity: 2% [?]