Robin Hood [Blu-ray]

Fun movie. Hilarious that they removed the *very* relevant message at the beginning that underpins the central theme of the movie. "In times of tyranny and injustice when law oppresses the people, the outlaw takes his place in history."

Opening scene with the blank parchment should read: In times of tyranny and injustice when law oppresses the people, the outlaw takes his place in history.Why is this being censored?? Hmm, I wonder...

Amazon has censored the intro to the movie and the message against tyranny, its a shame they've bent the knee. The movie itself is great, but watch it else where. Apple TV still has the original.

Most stories revolving around the notorious outlaw who robs the rich to feed the poor have a humorous twist and take place during the height of Robin's career as a thief. This time around, however, Ridley Scott takes us back to the origins of the legend...With most of the men in Nottingham off to war on the Crusades with Richard "the Lion Heart," their wives and daughters are left to fend for themselves in near-poverty. In the ten years since her husband's departure, Lady Marion (Cate Blanchett) has managed to see her tenants taken care of, in spite of five seasons of lean gathering and oppression both from the government's need for taxes, and the interference of the Church, who requires a large donation annually from the parish. Her husband Robin Loxley meanwhile is making the final push through France with Richard, in the hope of soon returning home. But the French are unwilling to go down without a fight and the monarchy summons an English assassin with ties to their court to put an end to Richard's life. Godfrey (Mark Strong) is well trusted by Richard's younger brother Prince John (Oscar Isaac), and it is believed he can sway John toward unpopular policies, which will divide England and ultimately cause it to fall to foreign invasion.Caught up in the midst of it all is Robin Longstride (Russell Crowe), a notable archer who is tired of war and simply wants to return across the channel. When Richard is killed in combat, Robin comes across the assassin and his party and makes a promise to Loxley that he will return Loxley's sword to his father, and tell him of his noble death. Knowing he will not be permitted to travel safely unless he is a knight, Robin and his friends borrow identities and reach the shores of England, where he presents the crown to Eleanor of Aquitaine (Eileen Atkins). Determined to keep his word, Robin then travels to Nottingham, not realizing that this decision will impact the course of his life forever...The critics are panning this and I am not altogether certain why, because it certainly is epic on every level. The director knows his craft in creating sweeping, romantic and often brutal cinematic experiences and this is no different from most of his costume drama projects in that it is glorious to look at, with gorgeous cinematography and excellent performances. Cate and Russell have immediate tension and chemistry, and their romance as it unfolds is both fun to watch and crackles with the promise of future passion. The two bicker and banter and exchange lingering glances and when they finally get around to their first kiss, it is as meaningful as it is tender. The supporting cast is notable as well, with an alternately irritating and likable King John -- at times, we almost feel sorry for him, and then he does something unforgivably pathetic and we retreat into hating him once again. The most glorious villain is Mark Strong, who snarls and grins his way through his scenes, burning houses to the ground, slaughtering anyone who crosses his path, and even stabbing an old blind man through the heart. If that's not a bad guy you can root against, I don't know what is.I suppose some amount of complaining could be launched in the direction this film took, in establishing that Robin is not who other films says he is, but since I have never particularly liked any of the goofier representations of the character, I for one am not complaining over a massive re-envisioning. If you go into it knowing this is not your traditional Robin Hood, I think you will find it engaging. True, the beginning does jump around a bit in establishing all the different characters and happenings in two separate nations, and Richard is not all that likable, but once Robin arrives in England the pace picks up and Scott's talent as a director gleams particularly in the last half. I liked the nuances of the characters; Robin is of course likable, but Friar Tuck now raises bees (and gleefully sets them on some French soldiers at one point), Little John has a bit of a temper, and Marion has been transformed from a damsel in distress to a feminist icon who can more than look out for herself. There are little moments and instances of humor, but for the most part it is a serious drama.All in all, it's not what you might expect from the tale but is a re-imagining that left me with a smile on my face. It's fun once in awhile to just sit in a theater seat and enjoy the experience, and that ultimately is what can be said of Robin Hood: a few blatant historical inaccuracies aside, it is not meant to be taken too seriously, and in that regard it's just what I love most: a rousing adventure.

Great story of one of England's historic figures.

I had been following this films release for a long time, and remember really wanting to see it when it first came out. I can't explain what a huge Robin Hood fan that I was as a kid. I had the all green motif in my room until I was about 8. I remember reading the Pyle version of the story, well before I was old enough to do so, but as the film approached release, due mostly to bad press, and a really bad trailer that came out right before release (note that trailers are not usually made by the actual film makers, so why people base their expectations on them, to include myself is beyond me.) it was being marketed to a historically accurate version of Robin Hood. How it could actually have happened, which is just another way of saying we b sed and speculated, kinda like that horrible clive owen version of king arthur. Something in the vain of glaidiator but with robin hood, roll eyes. This film is not that. I missed the initial release and ended up seeing it for free in a second run theater, and I have to say that I was mesmorized. It was really good. Not like best movie of the year good, but thoroughly entertaining, and it took some liberties that I was not expecting. A lot of people say, oh great a sequel, some say there can't be a sequel of robin hood, because its an idea, a folklore, kind of like batman. Different directors have focused on different parts of the mythology, because there are so many different sources to choose from. I always thought that the Pyle version was the original book, but have subsequently found there are like at least 10 very different versions ranging from shakespeare, to Dumas, to Tolken C.S. Lewis Oxford alum, so with that in mind, this is its own telling. In most original versions, Robin does his thing, as a commoner, becomes an outlaw to be pardoned by the king, go off to fight in the crusades, and come back to sherwood, maybe fight a last battle, and then die after defeating sherriff of nottingham. This film starts with robin as a soldier, who comes back after the war, trying to find the peace that has eluded him in life. Will and Little John are other Veterans, and the saying that no one wants peace like a soldier holds true. They fight for the people who couldn't go fight, and who can't stand up to the government. There are various allusions to the current conflicts and low approvals of current policies. While the story of robin may not be historically accurate, the way it is told is. All the customs and set pieces are the most accurate representation of the time yet put on film, and it does stem from Ridly Scott's maticulous eye for historical detail. This does lend itself to be a film for the whole family, and roots Robin's uprising on modern ideals and rebels agains English rule and oppression. There is no King left to pardon robin in this. The film's story doesn't travel as far as I would have liked, but it it definately a prequel, and since he ultimately must fail in liberating england, I think the subsequent sequels will be most interesting as robin's ideals, and his men's loyalties to them are questioned under the rule of king John. I hope that more people get into this film, because I really thing that with writer Brian Hedgeland of LA Confidential and Mystic River Penning this series, the next film could be ever bit as good as the dark knight, though I'm afraid with the poor boxoffice it might never be.

In times of tyranny and injustice, when law oppresses the people, the outlaw takes his place in history