143 Minutes
Directed By: Kevin Reynolds
Written By: Pen Densham
Staring: Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Alan Rickman, Christian Slater, Micheal McShane, Nick Brimble and Daniel Newman as Wulf
A wise man once said: “There are no perfect men in the world; only perfect intentions.” -Azeem
Review
Though this Robin Hood doesn’t speak with an English accent this film is a pleasure and joy to watch. The landscapes and visuals are rich and inviting and the costumes authentic. Marians in particular is breath-taking. The script was witty and fresh, 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 with charm and fun, making a fully fleshed action-adventure story that failed to lack in any department.
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.
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 contrast, it flourished and rose above those stereotypes giving it 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 lingered with you afterwards and really captured the essence of the romance. Adams was an excellent choice in artist, but also the song was perfection. The film ended on it’s lower key theme of romance and left the hopeful future of love and hope 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.
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 his version of Robin Hood balance a serious yet playful persona. The cast simply shines.
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.
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Great review, I love this film. It has always been one of my favorites from when I was younger and I still enjoy every second of it to this day. Got to love Sean Connery’s appearance as King Richard.
I just love everything about it, the relationship between Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman’s characters is brilliant as well.
Strangely enough I was discussing this film with some friends the other night and although I loved this movie it was funny how Kevin Costner was the only one in the movie with no english accent and he was ROBIN HOOD!!! Just one of those movie facts that will always crack me up.
It is funny George. But in it’s context it isn’t distracting for whatever reason. Maybe that’s just because we accept Kevin Costner as pretty much always playing himself in each role he’s in. He doesn’t necessarily have a huge range, though his charisma makes up for it. This Robin Hood is my favorite, and I’m scared to see what Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe have to retort it with aside from darkness and gregarious violence this Spring.
I agree with you Heather ….this is my favorite Robin Hood too
You have to go into a Robin Hood movie knowing it will be flawed in some way, they all are. Although this is a really good and fun film, for me The Adventures of Robin Hood with Errol Flynn is still a better film for me. The best thing about Prince of thieves was Alan Rickman and Michael Wincott playing Sheriff of Nottingham and Guy of Gisborne.
For those who don’t know Costner and Reynolds made three films together: Fandango (the movie my blog takes its name from), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Waterworld. The fallout from Waterworlds many problems resulted in a great quote from Kevin Reynolds:
“Kevin Costner should only act in movies he directs. That way, he can work with his favourite actor and director.”
Finally some shameless self publicity. I know Heather has seen my Robin Hood blog but for those who haven’t: http://fandangogroovers.wordpress.com/2009/12/21/robin-hood/
@Heather: I just nominated your blog for the Kreativ Blogger Award
@ Heather. I nominated you and Jim as well for the Kreativ Blogger award.
Yours is best review of this film that I have ever seen.
Robin Hood Prince of Thieves is one of the most spectacular films ever made. The continuity is superb; the script and the humor delightful; the chemistry of the characters couldn’t be better.
If it is not yet a classic, it should be.
Oh, and how could I forget? What a magnificent and moving score by a magnificent musician, Michael Kamen!