Just come back from watching this at the cinema, and I was pleasantly surprised. For a child of the nineties who grew up on watching Prince of Thieves I was hoping for something completely different, and I was disappointed.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about this film is it predecessors, because together with it they provide an interesting chronicle into the development of film over the last 70 odd years. Indeed Hollywood has come a long way within the last 20 years alone. This film may lack a lot of that nineties over sentimentality, an evil witch, half buttoned pristine white shirts, a cameo from the then god Sean Connery and a Canadian with and electric guitar in the credits, but that doesn't mean it is better or indeed worse.
What this film provides for me is a more realistic and in many ways subtler feel to this very English legend. I think the casting of such an internationally flavoured cast with a sprinkling of some genuine English talent was a master stroke. I liked the cinematography, especially the battle scenes which seemed chaotic and rushed, which to me makes for a more realistic experience. The script was a script but did not drop the ball, and the sets and locations were all very convincing.
Most importantly though I think that Crowe pulls of Robin. Unlike KC attempt he does and gets the English accent well. He brings just the right levels of drama and humour to the role and most important of all, and perhaps something the previous occupants of the metaphorical green tights did not have, he looks like the sort of chap who would have been on and survived the crusades, could command a group of unruly men, and doesn't mind slumming it in a forest for a bit. It is strange because I never use to rate him that highly, but I think that this and some of his other recent work is starting to really show how he is maturing into one of the bes actors of his generation.
In summary then this is a good film, definitely warranting the price of the cinema ticket. I look forward to a sequel, if there is one which the end would suggest there might. But don't try and compare it to Prince of Thieves because they're two different genres of film. At its heart this film is an action drama, but a small sprinkling of romantic and comedy sub plots turns it away from a Gladiatoresk hard core mans man film into something that everyone (over 12) can enjoy.
N.B. just as an aside he may have only had a small role but once again Douglas Hodge really shone out for me in this film, it amazes me why he does not get more film roles, perhaps he is too busy with theatre?
Perhaps the most interesting thing about this film is it predecessors, because together with it they provide an interesting chronicle into the development of film over the last 70 odd years. Indeed Hollywood has come a long way within the last 20 years alone. This film may lack a lot of that nineties over sentimentality, an evil witch, half buttoned pristine white shirts, a cameo from the then god Sean Connery and a Canadian with and electric guitar in the credits, but that doesn't mean it is better or indeed worse.
What this film provides for me is a more realistic and in many ways subtler feel to this very English legend. I think the casting of such an internationally flavoured cast with a sprinkling of some genuine English talent was a master stroke. I liked the cinematography, especially the battle scenes which seemed chaotic and rushed, which to me makes for a more realistic experience. The script was a script but did not drop the ball, and the sets and locations were all very convincing.
Most importantly though I think that Crowe pulls of Robin. Unlike KC attempt he does and gets the English accent well. He brings just the right levels of drama and humour to the role and most important of all, and perhaps something the previous occupants of the metaphorical green tights did not have, he looks like the sort of chap who would have been on and survived the crusades, could command a group of unruly men, and doesn't mind slumming it in a forest for a bit. It is strange because I never use to rate him that highly, but I think that this and some of his other recent work is starting to really show how he is maturing into one of the bes actors of his generation.
In summary then this is a good film, definitely warranting the price of the cinema ticket. I look forward to a sequel, if there is one which the end would suggest there might. But don't try and compare it to Prince of Thieves because they're two different genres of film. At its heart this film is an action drama, but a small sprinkling of romantic and comedy sub plots turns it away from a Gladiatoresk hard core mans man film into something that everyone (over 12) can enjoy.
N.B. just as an aside he may have only had a small role but once again Douglas Hodge really shone out for me in this film, it amazes me why he does not get more film roles, perhaps he is too busy with theatre?