Robin Hood (2010) movie review : Eagerly awaiting the sequel

Robin Hood (2010) is a classic epic storytelling of a famous legend of the same name. Directed by Sir Ridley Scott (Gladiator), the movie stars Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong and William Hurt. We have never seen such a cold gripping version of Robin Hood before. On the lines of Batman Begins and Casino Royale, the movie shows the making of a legend. In all these movies, we see the real hero as we know only in the finishing scene. I’ve always loved this kind of storytelling, rather than starting the movie with an arrow piercing into the woods or showing Russell Crowe robbing the riches and helping the poor. Sir Ridley Scott deserves an astounding applause for the unique treatment he has given for this movie. I am eagerly waiting for a sequel.

Russell Crowe (Robin Hood) is as thrilling as we saw him in Gladiator. But I get pissed when I hear comparing Gladiator with this movie. Both are different. Different stories. Different arenas. I think just because Sir Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe combine it need not be a better movie than Gladiator. Gladiator was both people’s life time best movie. It is pretty tough to repeat that success each and every time. You don’t get such good stories and scope for action and inspiration in every movie. I wonder how Crowe still maintains a well toned body. (I could see 4 packs !!). I think Russell understands Ridely’s expectations point blank, which is why their combination is so magical each time. Cate Blanchett was a good choice. She suited the character’s age and a pale look. I think she is that kind of an actor who does any role perfectly. And Mark Strong is irritating as ever. We already saw him in Sherlock Holmes. This is a good movie for his career, but I didn’t like his mouth scar in this film. Very often he reminded me of The Joker. I couldn’t stop laughing imagining him telling Crowe, how he got his scars. Lol. Max Von Sydow as Cate Blanchett’s father-in-law reminded me often of the King in Gladiator. He has done a very good performance. Sir Ridley Scott knows each and every actor’s potential and he knows exactly how to draw the best performances from each. John Hurt was good as ever and all the others did their job well, nothing exceptional.

The music has suited the premise. Well people would have expected Hans Zimmer or James Horner to score the soundtracks for such as mega budget movie. But Marc Streitenfeld has impressed me with his score. If you do not recognize him, he is the one who scored the music for “A Good Year”, “The American Gangster” and “Body of Lies”. I love the music for all these movies, especially “A Good Year”, which had an exquisite touch of French.

Coming to the core of the movie, the action has been raw and splendid in the movie. Shooting the war scenes are always a cakewalk for Sir Ridley. I don’t know how he does them so effortlessly but on screen they appear unbelievably true and gruesome. Though the movie carries a smaller plot compared to The Gladiator, it has been made so lavishly and realistically. The director does deserve praise for bringing this wonderful plot to screen and drawing the best performances from even the smallest character. When Sir Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe make an epic war movie, you can be sure that it will be exceptionally awesome, gritty and realistic.

Bravo Robin Hood! And the thing that truly inspired me the most is the message this movie delivers:

“Rise & rise again, until Lambs become Lions”.

Rating:

3.5/5

Trivia:
“Robin Hood” was made with double the budget of “Gladiator”. Wow!!