Robin Longstride aka Robin Hood played by Russell Crowe
You've read the story books, you've seen the TV shows and the movies. Think you know Robin Hood? Obviously after watching Ridley Scott's version, you'll definitely have a different take. The story is an origins story and is similarly intelligent like 'The Dark Knight' and 'Iron Man'.
'Robin Hood' is set in the late 12th century England. This version of Robin Hood deals with the adventures of Robin Longstride (Crowe), an archer in the Crusading army of Richard the Lionheart, long before he is known to all and sundry as Robin Hood. During a battle against the French, Robin learns of the 'death' of King Richard and sees it as an opportunity to flee from the army. On his way back to England, he chances upon the critically injured Sir Robert of Loxley (Douglas Hodge) and promises the dying knight that he will take a sword back to his father, Sir Walter Loxley (Max Von Sydow).
Crowe and Lady Marion played by Cate Blanchett
At Sir Walter's home in Nottingham, Robin meets Robert's faithful widow Marion (Cate Blanchett) and accepts Sir Walter's proposal to masquerade as Robert, in exchange for the sword (and far more than the sword later in the movie - Sir Walter reminds Longstride on who he really is).
To be totally honest, the movie doesn't turn out to be as epic as Gladiator (Director Ridely Scott's award winning masterpiece). Cinematography-wise, it's the same Hollywood blend of angles and transitions. Action sequences, nothing fancy but then they were in the 12th century, where nothing much could have been done with a bow and arrow and swords. Costums were like HBO's The Tudors and I'm pretty sure some of the extras were in it. CGI, I don't think there were much which is always good to see in a movie. All these aside, the acting cannot be questioned. Two Oscar winners in there and they pulled everything off with ease.
Crowe in action fighting off the French invasion attempt
The ending shows how Robin Longstride becomes Robin Hood. Potentially a sequel? We shall see, but for now, I enjoyed Scott's depiction of the prince of thieves and Crowe's brilliance. 4/5 stars.
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