It's hard not to think Oscar when Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe team up together for a project. These two are responsible for many of my favorite movies of all time, and "Robin Hood" has held up all their standards. Although I don't think it beats "Gladiator," this film is definitely right behind it as one of my favorites from them.
I know there has been some discussion whether this film is a remake, re-imagining or a prequel. After seeing it, I would have to say it is both a prequel and a re-imagining. The story begins before Robin is actually known as Robin Hood or Robin of Loxley. His name is in fact Robin Longstride, an archer in King Richard the Lionheart's army that went to fight in the Holy Land. When the King is killed in France, Robin poses as Sir Robert of Loxley, who was chosen to take the crown of the King back to England. Robin and his three companions, including Will Scarlet (Scott Grimes) and Little John (Kevin Durand), pose as Sir Robert and three other knights to get free passage home. While sailing the English Channel, Robin decides he will return the sword of Sir Robert back to his father in Nottingham.
But before he gets on his way, he must pose as Sir Robert to Prince John, who is now the King, and a childish one at that. However, there is trouble stirring in England. Godfrey (Mark Strong), a nobleman and long time friend of King John, makes a pact with King Philip of England to stir the Barons of England against the King to start a civil war. Which is when France will invade.
Arriving in Nottingham, Robin gets acquainted with Lady Marion of Loxley (Cate Blanchett), Sir Robert's widow, and the Master of Nottingham, Walter (Max Von Sydow), who clearly knows more about Robin's past than he does. Walter wishes Robin to pose as Sir Robert for a time in exchange for Robert's sword and information about his past. Robin agrees. Curing many of Nottingham's ills and falling for the Lady Marion, Robin and his companions decide to stay, not aware of the trouble heading their way.
To get the country out of debt, King John decides to invoke a tax, which Godfrey is all too ready to enforce. Secretly getting the aide of 2oo French soldiers, Godfrey pillages every town. Meanwhile, Walter tells Robin the story of his father Thomas Longstride, who was well respected between the Barons of England. A philosopher, he had a belief that a King had as much need of his subjects as the subjects had of their King. He died for that cause. Now Robin is ready to take it up again, being called to a meeting of the Barons, planning to ride on London to take down the King. Having found that his friend has betrayed him to the French, King John also arrives, attempting to unite all of England. However, he is not the one responsible for it.
Robin speaks to the crowd. "The laws of this land enslave people to its King. A King that offers them nothing in return. What we ask for is liberty. Liberty by law!" The King promises to carry out their wishes so that they, all of England, will ride against Godfrey and France.
Meeting their enemies as France arrives on England's northern shore, there is a typical Scott epic battle. Lady Marion has also brought her band of Nottingham nomads that have been raiding from Sherwood Forest. There is, of course, a fabulous one-on-one battle between Robin and Godfrey after he tries to kill Marion. And, in classic Robin Hood style, he kills Godfrey with a perfect long distance shot from his bow.
Back in London, the presentation of King John signing the agreement he made with the Barons does not go as planned. He burns it, and declares Robin Longstride, now Robin of Loxley, also known as Robin of the Hood, an outlaw for the rest of his days. Robin and Marion flee to Sherwood Forest with the men who are destined to become known as the Merry Men.
I adored this movie, and definitely give it the "MUST SEE" stamp because I have a feeling that it will become one of the Oscar hoarders of 2010. I do think it is the best epic drama of the year so far. Knowing a taste of what is coming out the rest of this year, I have a hard time believing anything else can beat it out as the best epic and historical drama of 2010.
What I was really impressed with was how fantastic Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett were together. They are an on screen power couple. Their chemistry was fantastic. As good as Russell and Connie Nelson were in "Gladiator".
I can see how this movie can get so-so reviews from critics because of that little taste of romance between Robin and Marion that can come of as cheesy. Now, I didn't feel it was cheesy, but then again, something about the Robin Hood story always has been a little melodramatic. I thought Ridley Scott did a fantastic job staying away from the melodrama overall by adding in Robin's back story and the true villainy of Godfrey, but in a way, with the love story of Robin and Marion, you can never truly stay away from it all together. And in all honesty, Ridley Scott does not generally direct films about epic romances, so I will forgive him on that count.
There were plenty of nods to the classic Robin Hood moments, which I was particularly happy about. Robin and Little John do not start as friends. They in fact despise each other in the beginning, and have a little spat that ends when Robin accidentally hits the King in the face. Robin and Lady Marion also have their qualms about each other in the beginning, Marion threatening to cut off his manhood he is tries to touch her. This is why I love Ridley Scott so much. He is one of the best storytellers of our time.
Overall, I thought it is another fantastic Scott-Crowe film, and you should definitely look for it in next year's award season.
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