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Robin Hood (2018)
(Summit Entertainment)
By Lucas Allen
The legend of Robin Hood has been a Hollywood staple since the golden age of film making. It inspired countless memorable performances from the likes of Errol Flynn, Kevin Costner and Russell Crowe, plus some fantastic scenes of swordplay and stunt work.
The new 2018 version attempts to give it a new reinvention for modern audiences who are more inclined to watch stuff blow up than just fancy swordsmanship.
It’s directed by Otto Bathurst, who’s primarily known for directing music videos. Robin of Locksley (Taron Egerton) spent four years battling with the Crusaders before an attempt of treason forces him to return to his home near Nottingham.
But when he returns, he discovers that his beloved Marian (Eve Hewson) is already in love with aspiring politician Will Scarlet (Jamie Dornan) when she thought Robin died in battle.
Worse, the town’s sheriff (Ben Mendelsohn) has been taxing the poor commoners to fund the war effort. Feeling the need to kill the corrupt sheriff, Robin is roped in by escaped prisoner Little John (Jamie Foxx) to instead rob the sheriff’s money supply.
With enough training to improve his bow and arrow skills, Robin of Locksley becomes the outlaw Robin Hood, stealing from the rich and giving it back to the poor. With the townsfolk rising up, thanks to the Hood’s actions, the sheriff is enraged, and announces a reward for information leading to the criminal’s arrest. However, the Hood remains elusive as evidence of corruption involving the sheriff and an evil cardinal (F. Murray Abraham) comes to light that can put the kindly people into poverty.
It’s up to our hero to lead a revolt to take back the city. Even though the movie’s trying to be fresh and different from the other “Robin Hood” movies, it’s basically a rehash of what was done before. No matter how much style the filmmakers were trying to put into this film, you can tell which parts from other versions were put into the movie.
It’s still written very straightforward that you can understand each of the character’s motivations and actions. Its biggest issue however is the inclusion of the love triangle subplot, which is just as unnecessary and pointless as any other movie cliché in the book.
The upside is that the action scenes are exciting and thrilling that should satisfy all viewers. The battle scenes has that gritty tone like those modern war films that somehow work within the revisionist concept. But while the finale is certainly satisfying, the movie still committed the cardinal sin of leaving it open-ended for a sequel that may or may not materialize.
Some advice for future filmmakers who want their movies to gain interest from audiences is to never make false expectations to turn your work into a franchise no matter what the money-making studios tell you. Edgerton makes the character his own with his charismatic and vulnerable performance. He gives the most authentic performance in the character’s history as the young British actor seems to be very committed in the role.
Foxx is basically replaying his “Django Unchained” character, but he still has some great moments to shine. Mendelsohn also replays his villain role in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” with good results, while Hewson and Dornan are just fine in their performances.
2018’s “Robin Hood” is a flawed but mildly entertaining film best suited for a rainy day viewing. There’s a better “Robin Hood” movie out there that’s worth more of your time than this one, especially in a season jam-packed with big-name titles.
THE MOVIE’S RATING: PG-13 (for extended sequences of violence and action, and some suggestive references)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 2.75 Stars (Out of Four)
