Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
When soldier Robin happens upon the dying Robert of Loxley, he promises to return the man's sword to his family in Nottingham. There, he assumes Robert's identity; romances his widow, Marion; and draws the ire of the town's sheriff and King John's henchman, Godfrey.
Ridley Scott's Robin Hood is a gritty, revisionist origin story that ultimately feels labored rather than revelatory. The plot is convoluted and front-loaded with political intrigue that dilutes the legend's appeal, while the promised origin of the outlaw never quite delivers satisfying payoff. Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett bring professionalism to their roles but lack chemistry, and the supporting cast (Mark Strong, Oscar Isaac) outshine the leads. Cinematography is competent Scott-standard medieval grittiness — functional but not especially distinctive. The film offers little novelty, retreading familiar ground with a 'gritty reboot' formula that was already well-worn by 2010, and its Magna Carta subplot feels grafted on. The climactic beach battle is visually busy but dramatically hollow, and the ending abruptly pivots Robin into outlaw status in a rushed fashion that feels like a setup for a sequel that never came.