ROBIN HOOD
UK, 2018, 116 minutes, Colour.
Taron Egerton, Jamie Foxx,. Ben Mendelsohn, Eve Hewson, Jamie Dornan, Tim Minchin, Paul Anderson, Ian Peck, F.Murray Abraham.
Directed by Otto Bathurst.
Probably best to forget about most of the stories we know concerning Robin of Locksley, Robin Hood. The action of this film takes place before the outlaws of Sherwood Forest, this episode finishing as Robin, Marian, Little John and the others have to escape from Nottingham.
In fact, the initial voice-over advises audiences to forget all that they knew about the Robin Hood Legends. There is a rather ironic tone taken, tongue in cheek humour, an interpretation of Robin Hood for 21st-century audiences, especially those who have indulged in Marvel and DC comic hero films (reinforced by the style of the final credits, parallel to those used in these films).
With Taryn Egerton (the Kingsman films as well is The Rocket here as Elton John), we have the youngest of actors for Robin. He is the Lord of Locksley, he does encounter Marian who was involved in some shady thieving behaviour, they fall in love. However, he is drafted to go to the Crusades for four years, not to Palestine or Jerusalem, but to Arabia (echoes of contemporary Middle East intentions, the battle against Isis). Robin is a daring hero, Guy is when is a rather dastardly Conqueror, there is a back story of an Arab who opts to be called John – the tall Jamie Fox who becomes Little John.
Meanwhile, back in Nottingham, the dastardly sheriff (Ben Mendelson at his most dastardly) has been taxing the townspeople beyond their being, forcing them to work in suffocating mines. He has confiscated Robin’s Castle and destroyed it. John has appreciated Robin’s help in Arabia and is bent on some kind of vengeance, bonding with Robert, giving him extensive training in archery (introducing an extraordinary machine for firing arrows like a Gatling gun), perfecting Robert’s skill and speed.
We can guess where this is going – however, Robin decides to fawn on the sheriff, pretending to be a donor and all the time robbing the sheriff and recycling his money. Marianne has teamed up with a very earnest reform, Will, but is involved in espionage in rebellion, along with an odd Friar Tuck. It becomes worse when the hypocritical church officials are revealed as plotting with the money – especially in the form of the beyond-Salieri Cardinal, F.Murray Abraham.
Audiences have never seen a mediaeval city looking like this, quite a different set design, including a mediaeval cathedral that looks nothing like a mediaeval cathedral! It all builds up to a dangerous climax, getting the people inside for revolution. All throughout the film, there has been quite a lot of action, excitingly-paced.
And, it turns out, that the critics did not like this interpretation. And, it seems, that many audiences preferred the familiar story rather than this 21st-century version.
However, for the record, this reviewer rather enjoyed it.
1. The Robin Hood Legends? The film history? Audience expectations? Reactions to this treatment? Critical and public dislike?
2. A 21st-century reimagining of the story, the episodes in Arabia and the Crusades, Littlejohn coming from Arabia, the role of the sheriff of Nottingham, the role of Marion, Robin of Locksley? The ecclesiastical and political repercussions? The story before outlaws in Sherwood Forest?
3. The set design, the unusual media will city and its, the buildings, the unusual cathedral, the impact of the coal mines and industry, homes, the Castle, exteriors and interiors? The musical score – and the contemporary song at the end credits? Look at the end credits – and the design similar to those for action hero films?
4. The action, editing and pace, making Robin Hood in action hero?
5. The voice-over, advising audiences to forget all they knew about Robin Hood? The introduction to Robin of Locksley, the introduction to Marion, thief? They’re falling in love? The announcement of Robin being drafted to go to the Crusades? Away for four years, the report of his death, the consequences for Marion, her relationship with Will?
6. A different interpretation of the Crusades, not in Palestine or Jerusalem, the fights in Arabia? The visuals and pace of the action? Arrows, rapidfire arrows like machine guns? Robin and his daring, orders, Guy of Gisborne? The daring, the Arab, his being taken, losing his hand, the execution of his son and the taunts? Robin making a plea? Robin wounded, returning to England?
7. Nottingham, his return, the role of the sheriff, his personality, tyrant, in the castle? Robin is castle destroyed, the ruins? Marion and his seeing her with William? The Arab finding him, his being called John, the bond, John respecting Robin because of the death of his son and his intervention? Their bonding together, to defeat the sheriff and his oppression?
8. The scenes of training, Robin and the arrows, his timing, speed? The motivation of the two men?
9. The plan to confront the sheriff, the sheriff’s character, cruelty, the collection of the money, the role of the church and the ecclesiastical is presence? Marion and her stealing the documents, finding out the truth? Her collaboration with Will, the plan? Robin and the decision that he be part of society, forming on the Sheriff, his donations, getting the Sheriff trust? And the irony of all his stealing exploits, getting the money, giving it to the people?
10. The people of Nottingham, poverty, the slavery in the minds? Will and his earnestness, his methods, within the structures? Issues of Marion and her relationship with him? Her puzzle about Robin, this to his castle? Her own methods, and in collaboration with Tuck?
11. Tuck, ecclesiastic, his role, with the money, seeming a film, the church, his helping Marion, Robin causing him to be arrested, denounced, his being defrocked – and is being able to act for the people and a great sense of freedom?
12. Rome, the Cardinals his visit, ostentatious, corrupt, the issue of power with the sheriff, the role of the money, in league with the Arabs, Robin overhearing what was planned? The role of the Archdeacon of the other ecclesiastics?
13. The plan, the timeline for the money going to Arabia, the need for action, John being called, interrogated and tortured?
14. Robin, revealing himself to the people, the support, Will and his denunciation?
15. The sheriff, bringing the troops, Guy Lisbon and the memories of the past?
16. The steamy the money for the Arabs, Robin and his return, confronting the sheriff, the sheriff hanged? Robin his lips and escapes?
17. The restoring order, Will and his authority, taking the role of the sheriff? The preparation for a sequel?
