Great review of a movie I wasn't going to see anyway. But why the hell didn't you like How to Train Your Dragon? Best DreamWorks movie yet
Escape to the Movies: Robin Hood
- Thread starter MovieBob
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Oh good, I knew there was a reason why I didn't want to see this movie...
Note-To-Self: buy Kingdom of Heaven
irector's Cut.
Note-To-Self: buy Kingdom of Heaven
irector's Cut.
Kinda had a feeling this was the way the film would go. Nothing against Russel Crowe as an actor, but he's the kind of actor who typically plays grizzled, angry types of characters, and those traits are pretty much the exact opposite of everything I, personally, expect from Robin Hood.
I know it's kind of the trend right now to go for dark, gritty "realism" in these kinds of pictures, and honestly, I guess if Robin Hood were real, this interpretation seems more likely than the traditional choice, as flawed as the movie itself is. Still, I can't help but think Robin Hood isn't supposed to be this angry, tormented soul who exercises wanton brutality. He's this lighthearted, wisecracking guy who kinda jumps from tree to tree, mocks you, shoots you in the leg and takes your money to distribute to peasants. Kinda like a medieval Spider-Man or something. That's the Robin Hood I want to see. Historical accuracy be damned.
Failing that, I'll take a big-screen version of BBC's latest Robin hood series. It's not quite perfect (it gets really dumb around the end of the second season), but I'd wager it's a heck of a lot better than this film.
I know it's kind of the trend right now to go for dark, gritty "realism" in these kinds of pictures, and honestly, I guess if Robin Hood were real, this interpretation seems more likely than the traditional choice, as flawed as the movie itself is. Still, I can't help but think Robin Hood isn't supposed to be this angry, tormented soul who exercises wanton brutality. He's this lighthearted, wisecracking guy who kinda jumps from tree to tree, mocks you, shoots you in the leg and takes your money to distribute to peasants. Kinda like a medieval Spider-Man or something. That's the Robin Hood I want to see. Historical accuracy be damned.
Failing that, I'll take a big-screen version of BBC's latest Robin hood series. It's not quite perfect (it gets really dumb around the end of the second season), but I'd wager it's a heck of a lot better than this film.
I went see this last night with some friends (one of which got us in for free, because he worked at that particular theater). It was...kinda, sorta; maybe enjoyable...at times. We agreed that it was a bit too long for it's own good. I had expected to get a call from work, saying I was missing for three days.
But still, I found it amusing all the way through. That is, until it decided to toss in Action-Adventure Clichè #41: Make the love interest a sword-swinging, battle maiden. Don't get me wrong. I think it's nice to see that type of character every now and then. And Marian certainly convinced me that she was a strong enough woman to handle managing her land. But the moment she showed up in armor, I immediately rolled my eyes, and sighed.
Don't take this as me hating the film based on that one nit-pick. As I said, I found it amusing and enjoyable.
But still, I found it amusing all the way through. That is, until it decided to toss in Action-Adventure Clichè #41: Make the love interest a sword-swinging, battle maiden. Don't get me wrong. I think it's nice to see that type of character every now and then. And Marian certainly convinced me that she was a strong enough woman to handle managing her land. But the moment she showed up in armor, I immediately rolled my eyes, and sighed.
Don't take this as me hating the film based on that one nit-pick. As I said, I found it amusing and enjoyable.
I havent really been anticipating this film that much to be honest, I don't know why it just hasnt caught my attension. I may watch Kingdom of Heaven though!
UtopiaV1 said:Not at all, friend. Debate is such a gloriously interesting thing once you do away with the "taking things personally" angle.GrinningManiac said:Alright, point taken, the sarcasm was very childish of me, i apologise.UtopiaV1 said:
The point i was making with the whole Longbow thing was that technology is not confined to the year of it's conception. People still use ancient designs today, and they certainly used those designs back when they were brand new! Who's to say that boats with a ramp at the front were ONLY designed in the 20th century? Designs for machines of war came and went so many times throughout history, Leonardo Da Vinci designed the world's first tank and helicopter (neither of which actually worked very well when they were finally built very recently). Higgins boats (or D-Day boats, whatever) were first used in WW2 but the designs could (didn't, but could, suspending disbelief here) have been drawn up sooner. People in the past weren't stupid (medicinal practices, racial intolerance and low hygiene standards aside), they just had limited tools and materials available.
If the sealant back then wasn't able to keep a raft afloat, then how did all the other ships in the movie stay above sinking level? Hard work and attention to detail i'll wager, making sure the wooden planks meet each-other and seal up the body of the vessel just right. Why not add a ramp at the front? This is all hypothetical anyway, we all KNOW they didn't have those types of ships back then (no need of them, warfare was much more slow and ponderous back then, no-one really needed to disembark from ships that quickly), but you do see my point? It's all not impossible, and certainly doesn't make this a bad movie, just because it asks us to suspend a little disbelief! Personally, I could have done without those silly boats in the film, they really seemed out of place and unnecessary, but I see why Mr Scott put them in (wanted to make at least SOMETHING for American audiences to identify with).
Also, art is only attractive relative to the observer. I believe the Mona Lisa is overrated, so if I invested every second of every day trying to make something as good as it I'd like to think I'd be able to create something that I find more beautiful, not you or anyone else, but me. I'm not sure (don't know enough about medieval warfare), but I think ordering cavalry around is more methodical and has more to do with science than art necessarily does. Point is, there were many great cavalry generals, but only one man painted the Mona Lisa. Ordering cavalry around is a skill to be learnt, painting a work of art is the result of a lifetimes' worth of talent from an individual, and cannot be taught. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Oh gosh, sorry for the long post.
Yes, I concede that the landing craft design could well have been designed earlier (not that it was, but after all, Robin Hood is not exactly a historical event either)
What I meant by the sealant was the fact that you couldn't seal the wood like you would with a normal boat, because you'd practically glue the door shut, so the ramp wouldn't fall. Then again, I doubt the Higgins boat was that watertight either. All it had to do was land on a beach!
The longbow is fine, I'm not sure who started that debate (if it was me, then whoopsie)
Meh, I guess I don't like this film because there's nothing Robin-y Hood-y about it. MovieBob was right, it's just "A" film set in the same period as the title, but has no real connection to the actual legend, no real ties with the actual history of the day and certainly none of the "Merry Men in Sherwood Forest". It's just A Bloke fighting with An Army against An Army in A Country. That could be fecking Lord of the Rings. Robin Hood's all about the subterfuge and charisma and giving to the poor.
Mr. Scott, if you're going to make a film based on an already-established story, try to include more elements of the story than just the name
Borrowed the Director's Cut of Kingdom of Heaven off of a friend today after watching this review. Wow, Bob, you weren't kidding. It was quite impressive. Which made my day, because KoH was always a movie I *wanted* to like, but for some reason it seemed...off. Now I know why.
Seriously hate American attempts at English accents, I don't try to sound American because I sound like a dick and can't even get one word right.
Where did that accent come from anyway? I always hear it being done by Americans and I don't recognise where it's even supposed to be from.
On topic though I think I'd rather have seen the original idea of the film being mainly about the good sheriff.
Robin Hood, if he existed would have been a complete thug murdering and robbing people and certainly wouldn't have been giving anything to the poor, except for syphilis.
Where did that accent come from anyway? I always hear it being done by Americans and I don't recognise where it's even supposed to be from.
On topic though I think I'd rather have seen the original idea of the film being mainly about the good sheriff.
Robin Hood, if he existed would have been a complete thug murdering and robbing people and certainly wouldn't have been giving anything to the poor, except for syphilis.
Guess I know which DVD I will be picking up in a few weeks.
But no seriously I actually went to see Kingdom of Heaven in theatres and left after half an hour to go see V for Vendetta running next door (they premièred 5 days apart from each other) because it was so dull and boring. 2 years later I saw Kingdom of Heaven DVD at a yard sale and picked it up for 2$.
I kept checking the box to see if they were indeed the same movie because somehow the Theatre release was the one lower in quality. I just sat stupefied for a second before Kingdom of Heaven (DVD release) replaced all memories of what I had seen in the Theatres.
If this is the same with Robin Hood we might have us an epic prologue to The Tales of Robin Hood rivalling Gladiator.
Of course this is wishful thinking on my part because I just love Thief stories and there just aren't enough of em around.
But no seriously I actually went to see Kingdom of Heaven in theatres and left after half an hour to go see V for Vendetta running next door (they premièred 5 days apart from each other) because it was so dull and boring. 2 years later I saw Kingdom of Heaven DVD at a yard sale and picked it up for 2$.
I kept checking the box to see if they were indeed the same movie because somehow the Theatre release was the one lower in quality. I just sat stupefied for a second before Kingdom of Heaven (DVD release) replaced all memories of what I had seen in the Theatres.
If this is the same with Robin Hood we might have us an epic prologue to The Tales of Robin Hood rivalling Gladiator.
Of course this is wishful thinking on my part because I just love Thief stories and there just aren't enough of em around.
i got place in probation? woop woop. i like robin hood, and yes it wasnt the best but it was a dam site better then the rest of the rubbish to hit the cinima this month. and i kinda hoped it would follow the more normal robin hood tale.
yh its a hard mistake to make.....i dont get why we dont mess around with ur flag so dont do the same with ours pleasead5x5 said:Ok, can't believe I'm the first to point this out...
Moviebob,
I just want to correct you on one small point made at around 2:05
BRITISH FLAG!
ENGLISH FLAG!
Britain and England are not the same!!!!
I wouldn't want you to make the same mistake again.
It was meh...not a good movie. I wish it was about Robin Hood. It needed more merriment and thievery and less medieval battles.
