Mike the movie sage -
Robin Hood is the latest iconic hero to get a reboot and in this case, Scott and his Gladiator repeat offender Russell Crowe tackle the famed archer of Sherwood Forest.
Like Casino Royale did for James Bond, this dark and gritty medieval actioner attempts to tell the origin of Robin Longstride, only without much fun.
Part of the problem is the heavily aged and increasingly less charismatic Crowe, who at 46, is not in the best shape of his career and stretches credibility as the supposedly dexterous hero.
In late 12th century England, Robin of the Hood is but a common archer in the Third Crusade trying to return home amidst years fighting abroad. After the death of Richard the Lionheart, Robin and a few other blokes come across an ambush of the king's guard and intervene. Taking the sword of a dying knight (Sir Robert Loxley), and assuming his identity, Robin must inform the kingdom of the dead king and witness the crowning of the new one.
Needless to say, King John has a penchant for merciless taxing and cruelty, but as this is an origin story, Robin lacks the merry men of Sherwood forest to organize a rebellion of sorts. Instead he heads to Nottingham where he is asked to keep impersonating Loxley to prevent the seizure of the family lands by the crown. Finally we meet Lady Marion, Loxley's widow, but don't expect any mischievous romancing go on here. Blanchett and Crowe have icy chemistry and their relationship is strictly political, at least for now.
Along the way there are bouts of conflict and a big coastal invasion saved for the climax, but unlike previous Ridley Scott epics, the action lacks intimacy.
The film obviously strives so hard to preserve historical fidelity of sorts, it forgets that Robin Hood, however based in fact, is remembered for mythical legends of adventure. With the Merry Men of the forest saved for the hopeful sequel, we're stuck with chainmail, broadswords and Crowe's grunted accent work.
Blanchett is uglied down, particularly for her feminist battle scenes and the proceedings feel drained of color, and consequently any life.
Sure the acting is fine and the combat sufficiently brutal, this Robin Hood is a bit of a drag.
RATING
Starring: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett and Mark Addy; directed by Ridley Scott
Rating: Two stars and a half out of five
