Despite fluctuations in accent, Crowe played his straight-arrowed Hood as flawlessly as ever. He and waifish Blanchett were beautiful together, and gave the last 20 minutes of this film the romantic glances, battle tension, and purpose needed to redeem it. Redeem it? You ask? Yes, I say. No quirky redheads, no flatulent Keamys, no host of British greats could rescue the unnatural pacing used for unnecessary character development. And, I have nothing against the bald beauty Mark Strong for his meanness or ability to woo an audience. Sadly, in stature, he pales meanly as the dwarfed dark knight. No matter the fighting words, a Troyer-esque antihero doesn't frighten, and waxes unrealistic. Stand him on a box, and try shoulder pads for the next period film. Too cruel?While we're on the subject: ROBIN HOODS reviewed.
Russell joined the legend, the legacy of men in tights. He, however went for the far less disconcerting leather pants. Good choice.
Kevin Costner used his bow hunting skills and Chuck Norris hair for good as the Prince of Thieves in 1991.
Disney's foxy Robin was a childhood crush, next to Ralph Macchio, as he foiled that phony Prince John.
Cary Elwes, and even Sean Connery make the list of comical green do-gooders robbing from the rich to feed the poor.
But, perhaps my favorite of these hooded heroes is the original worthy swashbuckler Errol Flynn, of 1938.
And how about Kevin Durand as Little John? Great actor in the making.
ReplyDeleteWhy aren't the writers required to study the period before writing.
ReplyDeleteObvious flaws:
1. Bad Guy talks to French king, and King asks him to speak in English! Absurd! In the late 11th Century, royals and nobles spoke Latin or French - even English nobles would have trouble speaking the language of their peasants.
2. Blachett puts on armor and rides to aid the good guys.Double Absurd! Women would not have armor to fit and would not know trade-craft of sword-fighting. etc.
3. And where did Robin, an archer, learn to fight with a sword? Absurd!