Robin Hood movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Robin Hood (2018)

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 116 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: C-

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

- Lots of violence, hand-to-hand combat and with various weapons.
- Some profanity and name-calling.
- You see a dead man hanging from a noose.
- My 4 sons have watched the animated version of Robin Hood about 1000 times. If you haven’t seen it, add it to your list. It’s adorable.
- Lots of destruction.
- Cleavage and bare backs.
- Alcohol and partying.
- Dishonesty and thievery.

IN A NUTSHELL:

I really liked the old Kevin Costner version of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (even though he was the only actor in the movie without a British accent. Lame.), so I was curious what this new version of the Robin Hood story would present us. In a word: Meh. Surprisingly, it was the talented Jamie Foxx who didn’t have a British accent, as well as Eve Hewson who played Marion. Lame.

THEMES:

“What we’re born isn’t always who we are.” – Robin Hood (Taron Egerton)
“You’re only powerless if you believe you’re powerless.” – Little John (Jamie Foxx)
One man can make a difference.
Power
Greed
“If not you, who? If not now, when?” – Maid Marian (Eve Hewson)
Vengeance
Justice
Friendship, loyalty

THINGS I LIKED:

I like Taron Egerton in everything he does. He’s so talented and believable in every role. Unfortunately, this script wasn’t as good as his talent.
Great slow motion sequences.
Lots of action.
Some humor, but it often fell flat.
Some cool, but unbelievably ridiculous, weapons.
The movie ends with a cliff hanger. Yep, there will be a sequel.
Part of the movie was filmed in Dubrovnik, Croatia. I was just there this past summer. It’s AMAZING. Put it on your Bucket List. I promise. It’s way more awesome than shown in the movie. For other fantastic travel destinations, check out my new travel web site www.EmptyNestTravelHacker.com

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

I love Jamie Foxx, but I was so disappointed by his performance. He should have had SOME accent, but instead, he just spoke “American.” He overacted a lot and it ended up providing comedy, instead of drama. The directing was really bad, because the actors seemed to go off in strange directions. Otto Bathurst, what were you thinking?
Some bad, choppy editing.
It really bugged me that Marion always had makeup on with curled hair and clean clothes. She’s supposed to live in a poor village next to the mine where people are dying, yet she looks like she’s in a trendy music video. It also bugged me every time she called Robin of Loxley “Rob.”
Can arrows actually go through hard armor? Machine gun bows and arrows? What the heck?
Some details just didn’t make sense. For example, Robin hides his identity as the Hood, yet Little John never wore a disguise and could easily have been linked to both personas.
The Sheriff of Nottingham’s haircut and clothing looked too modern for the time period.
Interesting to use the famous “Will” character as Marion’s husband. Jamie Dornan did a good job though.
I’m not Catholic, but the church is shown in a terrible light with abuse, greed, dishonesty, and theft.
Friar Tuck’s jokes never landed. Tim Minchin’s version of the friar makes him look like he’s in a Robin Hood spoof.
Some scenes definitely looked like they were filmed next to a green screen.

FUNNY LINES:
* “How do you love a God that gives you that face?” – Sheriff of Nottingham (Ben Mendeelsohn)

INTERESTING LINES:

“They’re not the people…they’re my subjects.” – Sheriff of Nottingham
“God’s up there. I’m down here.” – Sheriff of Nottingham
“Fear is the greatest weapon in God’s arsenal. That is why the church created Hell.” – Cardinal (F. Murray Abraham)
“The church can make a man or break him.” – Arch Deacon (Ian Peck)
“I didn’t cross an ocean to watch you crawl into a bottle.” – Little John

OTHER ROBIN HOOD MOVIES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

Robin Hood