Rebel With a Cause

Robin Hood

**1/2 out of ****

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Starring: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong, Oscar Isaac and Max Von Sydow

Running time: 140 minutes

With financial woes plaguing the European Union and a slowly adjusting global economy, will audiences choose to escape into a time where “taxation” was still the word on everyone’s lips?

From the medieval look to the gritty battle sequences to the collaboration with Russell Crowe, Ridley Scott’s latest retelling of the legendary Sherwood Forest archer was marketed as “Gladiator: The Return of Maximus.”

Instead, Robin Hood is "Gladiator Lite," with less rousing action, fewer compelling characters, and an alarming lack of personality. Nevertheless, it is still an enthralling and magnificently filmed origin story.

Moviegoers may be expecting a rehashing of story elements that they are familiar with. But beware: this is a prequel to the Hood's title as Prince of Thieves.

Long before he was labelled an outlaw and robbed the rich to give the poor their coin, Robin Longstride (Crowe) and his gang of marauders served England in the Third Crusade.

When their leader, Richard the Lionhearted (Danny Huston) dies in battle, Robin and his troupe of soldiers decide to return home. On their journey, they come across a pillaged band of knights, one of whom is breaths away from his end. That man is one Sir Robert Loxley of Nottingham, and he wants Robin to return his sword to his father.

Longstride vows to do so. Upon meeting the penniless population of Nottingham, he finds Loxley’s widow, Lady Marion (Cate Blanchett), and father, Sir Walter (Max Von Sydow), to whom he returns the weapon.

He further vows to defend the poor community from the harsh taxes summoned by the newly crowned King John (Oscar Isaac) and his errand boy sent to collect the bill, Sir Godfrey (Mark Strong), who’s also secretly an agent of France.

Gone is the dreamy Technicolor of the Errol Flynn classic. These new adventures are nearly drained of colour, but Scott’s signature epic sweep makes up for the lack of green-cloaked merriness.

The attention to detail – from the grand medieval locations to the costumes – is rich. Moreover, the battle sequences are thrilling, including a triumphant storm-the-beaches finale that plays out like D-Day in reverse. Robin Hood looks medieval and feels like a brawny summer blockbuster.

Unfortunately, the characters could have used some polishing. The film is overstuffed with three villains (too many), a cluster of Merry Men (ditto) and several helpful aides, including Mark Addy as Friar Tuck and William Hurt as a loyal servant to the King.

The attempts to introduce each supporting character makes the film lag, and their lack of development ensures that they quickly become dispensable within the story.

Furthermore, Russell Crowe’s take on the Hood is not quite a bullseye. For an actor known for intense, fiery, strong-willed performances, you hope for Robin to show some charisma while jump-starting a drive to justice:

Unfortunately, dull characterization from the often-reliable screenwriter Brian Helgeland (L.A. Confidential, A Knight's Tale) ensures that even Crowe seems too bland to bring the character a strapping action-hero status.

Blanchett fares better, as Marion (notably without the “Maid” preceding her name). She is a woman of substance and fierce intelligence. She is everything that Crowe's portrayal should have allowed him to be - it’s no wonder she turns up as a warrior alongside him in the final minutes of the film.

Most fascinating, though, is the currency of the subject matter. Depending on your political leanings, Robin Hood is either the Barack Obama of 13th century England (with his libertarian ideals) or the ultimate Tea Party representative (one who demands “no taxation without representation.”)

The battle scenes have might, the political conflict has intrigue, and the costume and production design is layered with detail. It’s too bad that many of the characters in Robin Hood lack these preceding traits.

These adventures of Robin Hood and Co. are solid but ultimately flavorless. Where’s Errol Flynn when you need him?