masterwordsmith-unplugged

I never played with dolls or soft toys. NEVER. I still remember the time when my mom gave me Lulu, my Steiff teddy bear. I cringed and ran away as far as I could from that monstrosity (I still have it and have not changed my opinion of it either). So what did I play with? Guns, trucks, cars, helicopters, batons,trains and bows and arrows. Perhaps that is why Robin Hood resonates with me. I used to imagine I was Maid Marion of Sherwood Forest and that one day my Robin Hood would come riding through the night to whisk me off to wonder land...Yup - he came alright (my husband that is) but not on a horse, rather on a Yamaha bike haha!) Ok. Back to serious business. Last night, I watched Robin Hood directed by Sir Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe. It was released in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2010, after premiering at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, and was released in the United States on May 14.

The film is set in late 12th century England and Robin Longstride (Russell Crowe) is a common archer in the Third Crusade. Following the death of Richard the Lionheart in battle, Robin and three other common soldiers, Alan A'Dale, Will Scarlett, and Little John, attempt to return to their homeland, having spent ten years fighting abroad. On their way home, they witness an ambush of the King's guard by Sir Godfrey (Mark Strong), an English Knight with French lineage and allegiance. The King of France had ordered Sir Godfrey to assassinate Richard.

Having discovered the King is already slain Sir Godfrey is chased off by the arrival of Robin and his companions. Aiming to return to England safely and richer in pocket than they left it, Robin and his men steal the armour of the slain Knights and head for the English ships on the coast under the guise of noblemen. Before leaving the scene of slaughter Robin promises a dying Knight, Sir Robert Locksley, to return a sword to the man's father in Nottingham. Heading to Nottingham to honour an oath, he meets Sir Walter (von Sydow) and his feisty daughter-in-law Marian (Blanchett), who are being squeezed out of their land by the Sheriff (Macfadyen). But there are bigger problems, as Godfrey (Strong) marauds through the country with an army of French goons, plotting to steal the country from the vain new King John (Isaac).

To me, Sir Ridley Scott's Robin Hood is realistic because he portrays him as a little less than perfect as Robon Longstride is willing to impersonate a dead knight in order to get back to a home that doesn’t mean that much to him except as a refuge from killing for the sake of killing in a senseless crusade.

I will not say any more lest I spoil the movie for you. Suffice to say Sir Ridley Scott paid remarkably meticulous attention to details and this is one film that you have to watch at the cinema.

Robin Hood is an adventure flick that will appeal to those who enjoy action and also those who enjoy a taste of history. Crowe joined the project despite being initially displeased with the script. He spent 10 months reading books about the character and his historical basis. As he had put on weight for 2008's Body of Lies, Universal considered sending an NBA trainer to Australia to coach him back into fitness. Crowe trained with a bow and arrow for four months and was able to hit a target from 45 meters. (I tried to pick up archery in my younger days. Believe me - it is a very difficult sport to master. It requires patience, strength, concentration and perseverance.)

Previously, director Sir Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe worked together in"Gladiator," which earned five Academy Awards. This time, it's still an entertaining, mostly dramatic romp that puts a face on the legend that has endured for hundreds of years.

Crowe as Robin Longstride is a man haunted not by a past, but by a past he can't remember. Crowe and Cate Blanchett (who plays Maid Marion) create some nice chemistry that smolders without being steamy. Through time, they develop an intricate, intimate relationship that's beautifully fragile and genuine.

The battle scenes are beautifully choreographed (not surprisingly, because Scott is adept at these) and the landscape is simply stunningly poignant for me. It has been 13 years since I last visited UK and the various scenery reminded me of the natural beauty of the countryside.

In this movie, it almost seems that every element is expertly crafted, from the realistic production design to the exceptional cinematography. To my delight, there is the whooshing of arrows, brutal attacks with all kinds of weapons and angry peasants (incidentally - I thought it was pretty realistic that Si Ridley Scott made them look pretty scruffy and grimy) are everywhere. I think what struck me most is the superb digital recreation of medieval which is more than impressive. The dead giveaway would be the unnatural accents of the various actors which do not jive with the region or period.

I reckon what struck me most is how the script writer Helgeland has adapted modern day issues such as financial difficulties, corrupt politicians and unjust tax burdens to bring out the pathos of a cruel regime (sound familiar, Malaysians?) Before the battles play out on a massive scale, there is the need to unite - the Barons unite under Robin Hood much the same way as how the PR component parties united under DSAI (no - I am NOT suggesting that DSAI is a modern day Robin Hood!!!). Then there is the superb assault on a beach that reminds me so much of the cliffs of Dover! The fighting scene is excellent and the set designer did a marvelous job with the design of the wooden boats and primitive oars. As always, Sir Ridley Scott does the epic battle scenes so well!

In between the action there's rather a lot of drama, from bickering in the Tower of England between the crazy new king and his longsuffering and wise mother Eleanor of Aquitaine (Atkins) to the sentimental countryside romance between Robin and Marian. Fortunately, these scenes are extremely well-played, with Blanchett delivering an especially strong performance as a woman far, far ahead of her time - a feminist- sort of character, progressive and yet feminine!

The only downside is that there isn't nearly enough of Robin's merry men, who are lively and funny. In fact, this only happened briefly after the King pronounces Robin to be an outlaw and he and Marion, together with his four buddies live with the young boys in Sherwood Forest. Yes, there are no merry men per se, but there are men of humor. There are no men in tights unlike in the other version and Sherwood Forest is only featured in the conclusion. Presumably, Sir Ridley Scott will have a lot more to work with in the sequel. It is very obvious that there will be a sequel as the story finishes right where most Robin Hood movies start.

So, if you are free - please go on a date with your loved one or take your kids with you to watch "Robin Hood". To be honest, Sir Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood might not be the noble hero of the earlier Robin Hood films, but he is a hero that modern audiences should embrace. You will not be disappointed because this movie will make you realize that this hero lives on and on....in our hearts, in celluloid and films like this! Enjoy!