A Serious Prequel to the Famous Myth
I was pleasantly surprised by this film. I had no idea it would be a prequel to the famous tales we all know about the Prince of Thieves and his merry band of followers. There is a Little John, played by the guy from Lost:
(It's good to see him as a good guy for once!)
And a friar. But at the beginning of the movie, they haven't met. King Richard has died in battle, and his army is regrouping after fighting in the Crusades. England is a turbulent place with high debts and towns that can't afford to pay their taxes. The new King is a selfish, arrogant man, and he's taking the bad advice of a French spy to run his country.
There is no "merry" in this adaptation. In fact, this is the most historically accurate of all the movies. Be prepared: Robin Hood doesn't wear tights. I repeat: no tights. Russell Crowe is a tough and believable Robin Hood, but just a little too old and fuddy-duddy to be heroically handsome in my opinion.
My favorite character was Maid Marion, played by the elegant Cate Blanchett
She has a great scene with a bow at the beginning, and I just know from then out she's going to kick butt.
The story itself is well put together, and the fighting scenes are artfully shot. If you don't mind violence, and are looking for a serious retelling of the events leading up to the making of Robin Hood, then you'll enjoy this movie.
45 comments:
Hey I'm glad to hear good things! I will never - Never never get tired of the Robin Hood story...so I'm glad it turned out well. Can't wait to see it!
Congrats on Mindflights, by the way!!
You're so inspiring.
Last week, NPR had a show on Robin Hood movies past and present:
feed://www.npr.org/rss/podcast.php?id=510053
Is there nothing Cate Blanchett can't do?
Thanks for commenting on my post about my grandchildren.
This is a movie I'd like to see. Excellent review of it.
I'm eager to read your work. I'm trying to economize enough to be able to buy at least one book a month from a follower. From your posts I can tell how well you write. You're a multi-talented person.
I'm on the fence for this one. I just have a hard time with Russell Crowe as Robin Hood. Just doesn't seem like a hero to me.
Cate Blanchet can do no wrong, can she?
I saw a commercial for that and it looked good. I like both Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchette, so there's two huge points in its favor right there. Thanks for the review!
Ooh, I love me some Robin Hood history! This sounds really good, and even better now that I know that Cate Blanchett is Maid Marion.
I've heard great things about this one. It looks like I'm going to have to find a babysitter!
I must admit I have absolutely zero desire to see this film. They had a story on it on the news last week with the present-day Sherriff of Nottingham. That made me laugh - imagine having that title!
I might go see it this weekend at the drive-in! It's showing with Date Night, two movies I wouldn't mind seeing!
Looks like a good 'un.
Glad to hear it's good! ...I'm just a bit hesitant because I'm not a big Russell Crowe fan. So, we'll see :) Maybe it'll be a rental!
I do love the Robin Hood story though, so I'll be interested in how they make that work.
I do hope to get to see this one eventually. It looks awesome!
Oh, I want to see this movie! I adore Russell:)
This one looked good to me, too. Thanks for the awesome review, giving me another reason to go see it!
Happy Hump Day!
Oooh, thanks for that! This was placed in my "Hmmmmm, maybe" pile and you have officially moved it to my "Must watch" one instead!
I love the more historically accurate films :~)
I'm looking forward to seeing this one.
I will most likely not see this in the theater. But I will definitely Netflix it when it comes out on DVD.
I love all the Robin Hood versions.
Thank you for this review. I was a little on the fence about the movie, but now I think I'll actually watch it.
Thanks!
I always appreciate a movie review from good bloggers like you. How interesting. It's good that the interpretation has not been Romantically sugar coated. However, I really don't like a lot of violence.
I'm so excited to see this adaptation. I'm glad to hear it's well done.
I don't know, I think Russell Crowe looks pretty handsome in the previews. :)
I may have to check this out now. Russell Crow is awesome!!!!
I loved this movie. It was so much more than I expected and I thought they did a good job keeping the violence quota down.
Aubrie, would you send me an email at sandracox1@gmail.com and I'll send you a PDF of GROUNDED.
Thanks for the excellent review. I can't wait to see the movie. Love the gutsy Russell Crowe and of course Cate Blanchett - great combo.
Lovely blog..:)Hope to read some of your work soon...
I had to return, Aubrie, to say I have awarded you a Beautiful Blogger award. You can drop into my blog and pick it up. Lovely work..:) Now you have to pass it on to 5 - 10 lovely bloggers...
oooh good review. Based on the adverts, I was afraid it was going to be "Gladiator in the woods".
Pop by my blog, there's an AWARD for you to pick up! ; )
Hi Aubrie!
Robin Hood is at least a story worth retelling, unlike many Hollywood remakes. I love Cate Blanchett and Russell Crowe.
Congratualations on all your publications.
I definitely have to check this one out.
Hmmm. Now I have a craving to see Men in Tights. I loved that movie. :D
Thanks for visiting my blog. I love the whole Robin Hood story, but unfortunately I thought the movie was only so so. I guess I expected a lot more from Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott. But Cate Blanchett was amazing as usual.
I've read so many negative reviews of this movie that at this stage I'm definitely waiting for the DVD rather than in any serious hurry to run out and see it. This review certainly put a different spin on the movie but I still can't see Crowe as Robin. Just doesn't work for me.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I really want to see this. I'm an anglofile. I can't help it. :(
I loved your blog. Thank you.
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