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Robin Hood - 9/5/2010 8:23:28 PM

Empire Admin

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Post #: 1

RE: 12A again! - 10/5/2010 1:44:16 PM

gordonsalive

Posts: 68
Joined: 26/4/2009
From: The Tannhauser Gate

quote:

ORIGINAL: NELLY77

I'm looking forward to this one ,but this F@#K�$G 12A certificate for the summer movies has got to stop!!!!!!

Why? The quality of a film has no bearing on its certificate. Besides not all the movies this summer will be 12A's just the ones aimed at taking the whole family.

Looking forward to this now - was getting a bit worried, let's hope it's as good as Empire thinks.

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Post #: 2

RE: 12A again! - 10/5/2010 3:42:00 PM

UTB

Posts: 8984
Joined: 30/9/2005

My main concern was that this was going to be too serious, but then I didn't realise that Brian Helgeland was on writing duties, and that review seems to suggest otherwise, which is good news.

The initial Dark Knight comparison was a little worrying but the rest of the review made up for it.

Looking forward to it now.

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Post #: 3

RE: Robin Hood - 10/5/2010 6:04:40 PM

Bighousewill

Posts: 244
Joined: 5/12/2009

Its funny that it is compared to Dark knight because I thought the music from the trailer was very Dark Knightish and if it leaves you wanting more and it if is an origin story then we might get sequals. Im really looking forward to this even if it is only a 12A but so was Dark Knight. Im going to see this on Wednesday.

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Post #: 4

RE: Pussy - 11/5/2010 1:40:10 AM

HarryHavoc

Posts: 42
Joined: 8/2/2008
From: Chichester

exscuse me? you really need to think about the way you compose yourself.

Such rude behaviour.

Post #: 5

RE: Robin Hood - 12/5/2010 5:50:52 PM

Bighousewill

Posts: 244
Joined: 5/12/2009

Loved the film I want a sequal. I noticed in one short scene in the backround was a modern day wire fence like the ones in the countryside only once though haha. In Gladiator there are some scenes with guys in jeans in the back ground just some little funny mistakes.

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Post #: 6

RE: Robin Hood - 12/5/2010 9:15:26 PM

MoBiUGeArSkIn

Posts: 385
Joined: 3/10/2005

... Fucking Awesome!!!

I was right about those trailers, they do a shit job selling Ridley's Hood. There is dialogue taken out of context, that ridiculous "are you ready to be who you are?" line is nowhere to be seen.

"I declare him AN OUTLAW!"

Sure you do... in the last ten minutes of the film!

This isn't Robin Hood as you know it and it actually works as a genesis movie. This basically leads into the "robbing from the rich" story we all know so well.

Ridley's Robin Hood opens in France where Robin Longstride, and what will eventually be his "Merry Men", are archers in King Richard's army. The Lion Heart is on his way back from the Crusades but is bankrupt thanks to his "adventures", plundering his way home back to England.

I won't say any more because I actually enjoyed knowing so little about the plot. Suffice to say we have backstabbing, conspiracy and democratic unrest. It's like the UK election, only more entertaining!

Performances? Terrific! Across the board, even from the minor characters. And it's a great cast. Mark Strong delivers yet another stellar performance in a villainous role.

Battle scenes? Medieval badassery! Ridley Scott knows how to shoot a sword fight, he knows how to frame a horse and how to pace a good siege. I could complain about the lack of gore (12a) but... nah.

The script is fun too, I chuckled at the intentional jokes. If I had to complain about anything is would be the length. I don't know how long the film is but... I actually wanted more! Now, I don't think Ridley Scott has ever directed a film that hasn't reached DVD being 30 minutes longer, so I fully expect there to be an extended cut of Robin Hood. I feel there's perhaps something left on the cutting room floor.

But in summary... I loved it, and I loved it a lot more than I truly expected to. I want to see it again.

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Post #: 7

RE: Robin Hood - 12/5/2010 9:44:05 PM

elzupasmonkey

Posts: 277
Joined: 30/9/2005

Very strange.

There isn't a single facet of this movie that clicks into place. Direction, acting, script, music...none of it ever gels. It's as if they looked at 'Prince of Thieves' and made sure they went to the other end of the spectrum in every way shape and form.

I liked Prince of Thieves more...

And what The Lost Boys are doing in this movie I have no idea.

Don't get your hopes up for a sequel, There won't be one.

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Post #: 8

RE: Are you having a larf? - 13/5/2010 8:47:49 AM

CORLEONE

Posts: 4595
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From: Green and Pleasant Land

I thought it was alright. Good action in places, a bit slow in others. Story wasn't the best. It should definitely be called Robin Hood Begins....

3 stars.

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Post #: 9

RE: Honestly, Empire... - 13/5/2010 9:54:57 AM

BOHEMIANBOB

Posts: 1884
Joined: 31/1/2010
From: Dublin

Firstly,people need to forget Gladiator,this is a completely different film.
I thought it was a decent blockbuster as blockbusters go(Crowe's accent is horrendous!) but lacks depth somewhat.
Some of the characters lack flesh and are bordering on slapstick.
It has a very slow pace and lacks action.
I do agree that the editing went amiss somewhere,it feels like there are pieces missing(damn the modern day dvd version!).
Decent though,and an interesting take on history!

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Post #: 10

Rise and Rise again... - 13/5/2010 10:19:13 AM

nclowe

Posts: 954
Joined: 15/2/2006
From: UK

quote:

ORIGINAL: hatebox

The hype for this movie has been nonexistant and the trailers suggest a snoozefest.

Are you kidding me? The hype in Nottingham at least has been immense! Posters on every bus, banners hanging from lamposts... hell... the whole of May has been designated 'Robin Hood Month'! :)

Saw the film yesterday and I loved it. Really enjoyed the new take on what is esentially an origins story, though if there isn't a sequel I'll be very disappointed. Would love to see a bit more of the 'Merry Men' and Matthew Macfadyen who was sorely under used!

A fair few dodgy accents batting about the place, but at least they tried :)

< Message edited by nclowe -- 13/5/2010 10:22:29 AM >

Post #: 11

RE: Honestly, Empire... - 13/5/2010 10:43:36 AM

Elvine

Posts: 15
Joined: 23/11/2005

I'm not comparing it to Gladiator in any other aspect than that it has just as little to do with Robin Hood. I'm starting to think the good reviews (not that many, according to Rotten Tomatoes, but still...) come from film journalists who've seen the film at Cannes, are generally in a good mood 'cause, hey, it's Cannes, the event of the year) and so fail to see that it's crap.

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Post #: 12

RE: Honestly, Empire... - 13/5/2010 10:50:12 AM

BOHEMIANBOB

Posts: 1884
Joined: 31/1/2010
From: Dublin

I agree with your opinion of journalists,but hey,they are just like us,movie fans who are just paid to give opinions.
And like us,they will come up with opinions we don't agree with(to understate in some cases!).
I avoid the hype of Cannes,Sundance and events like that.I go in with an open mind rather than a perception based on somebody elses opinion.I find the reviews from events like that can be particularly misleading.
Back to Robin Hood,it is certainly not crap.
I would venture reviewers will veer from 2 to 4 star reviews,and maybe the "truth" being in the middle.

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Post #: 13

RE: Honestly, Empire... - 13/5/2010 11:01:40 AM

Elvine

Posts: 15
Joined: 23/11/2005

There's absolutely nothing wrong with liking a film because you're in a good mood, or for that matter disliking it because it's been raining for a month and the cat just died and the car needs to be fixed and you have a cold. That's the way it is with art, sometimes for whatever the reason it resonates with something inside you. It just puzzles me that this highly mediocre film that balances just on the right side of total crappiness manages to get so many pretty decent reviews.

But then again, the first Harry Potter memorably got 5 stars from Empire on its release.

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Post #: 14

RE: Honestly, Empire... - 13/5/2010 11:37:34 AM

Timon

Posts: 14545
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Bristol

quote:

ORIGINAL: Elvine

But then again, the first Harry Potter memorably got 5 stars from Empire on its release.

No it didn't. It got 4.

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Post #: 15

RE: Are you having a larf? - 13/5/2010 11:47:25 AM

UTB

Posts: 8984
Joined: 30/9/2005

quote:

ORIGINAL: timbailey60

No,no,no,no,no! What film did the reviewer watch this time?! This is a dreadful film, dull to the point of boredom - after almost 2 hours precisely NOTHING had happened. When we did finally reach an action scene of any consequence, at the end of the film, it was comically cliched and Cate Blanchet's arrival was laugh out loud ridiculous. This is a truly awful film made for the VERY easily pleased. If you appreciate proper movie making vote with your feet and avoid it like the plague.

Rather amusingly, if you head on over to T**al Film, they've given it two stars and the responses are along the same lines of "what film was the reviewer watching?!", because they like the film.

Post #: 16

RE: Meh... - 13/5/2010 12:56:54 PM

superdan

Posts: 7238
Joined: 31/7/2008

I quite enjoyed this film It is important to keep in mind when you watch it that it is decidedly not a 'Robin Hood' film in the sense we are used to. Robin and his men aren't a bunch of charming and loveable criminals living in the woods, and the Sheriff of Nottingham is barely present. Unless they intend to do a sequel (as they surely must), there seems little point in calling the film Robin Hood at all.

However, taken on it's own merits I thought it was good. The action scenes have typical Ridley Scott flair and the cast is top-notch. In fact, the only things that bugged me were a couple of plot-holes (also typical Ridley Scott) and a unplaceable Russell Crowe accent. I honestly don't know if Robin was supposed to be from Yorkshire, Lancashire, the Midlands, Scotland or Tyneside. Other than that, it was 2 and a half hours well spent.

< Message edited by superdan -- 13/5/2010 12:58:01 PM >

Post #: 17

RE: Honestly, Empire... - 13/5/2010 1:02:23 PM

BOHEMIANBOB

Posts: 1884
Joined: 31/1/2010
From: Dublin

Off topic,there have been some crazy 5 star movies in Empire over the years..but i suppose we all see movies and the opinion we have immediately afterwards isn't always the one we'll have longer term.
I certainly wouldn't give an extra star though cause my cat died!

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Post #: 18

RE: Honestly, Empire... - 13/5/2010 1:03:23 PM

Elvine

Posts: 15
Joined: 23/11/2005

Yeah, you're right. Sorry. Delete Harry Potter, insert Pearl Harbor.

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Post #: 19

RE: Honestly, Empire... - 13/5/2010 1:05:01 PM

BOHEMIANBOB

Posts: 1884
Joined: 31/1/2010
From: Dublin

I know people who still think that is a "quality" film.
No accounting for taste.

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Post #: 20

RE: Honestly, Empire... - 13/5/2010 1:12:49 PM

Super Hans

Posts: 2291
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From: Watford

quote:

ORIGINAL: Elvine

Yeah, you're right. Sorry. Delete Harry Potter, insert Pearl Harbor.

That was 4 stars as well wasn't it?

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Post #: 21

RE: Honestly, Empire... - 13/5/2010 1:25:22 PM

MoBiUGeArSkIn

Posts: 385
Joined: 3/10/2005

quote:

ORIGINAL: Elvine
Wants to tell us something about today's society, but does it so heavy handedly it's painful to watch ("when we slaughtered 2500 muslim women and children we lost God") Do you get it? Well do you? You see, It's really about the war in Iraq! Take THAT, red-neck audiences.

Dude... Crusades?

Richard had kept 2,700 Muslim prisoners as hostages against Saladin fulfilling all the terms of the surrender of the lands around Acre. Philip, before leaving, had entrusted his prisoners to Conrad, but Richard forced him to hand them over to him. Richard feared his forces being bottled up in Acre, as he believed his campaign could not advance with the prisoners in train. He therefore ordered all the prisoners executed.

< Message edited by MoBiUGeArSkIn -- 13/5/2010 1:31:28 PM >

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Post #: 22

RE: Meh... - 13/5/2010 1:36:01 PM

Wild about Wilder

Posts: 1486
Joined: 9/4/2010
From: Hertfordshire

Got to say I enjoyed it & thought Cate made an exellent Marion & was really impressed with her accent also just goes to show when you want full blooded battlescenes Ridley's up there with the best.

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Post #: 23

RE: Honestly, Empire... - 13/5/2010 2:00:54 PM

Elvine

Posts: 15
Joined: 23/11/2005

Ehum... I'll just not give any other examples of ten-year-old films from the top of my head, then.

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Post #: 24

RE: Robin Hood - 14/5/2010 10:30:22 AM

Hobbitonlass

Posts: 11519
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Westeros

I went fully expecting to dislike this film but enjoyed it more than I thought I would. RC was still in Gladiator mode but then what else can he do when wielding a sword. Mark Strong is getting some ace baddie roles at the moment, really like him. Nice to see Dr Archie Morris (ER) as Will (Always good to have a token ginge

) and Martin Keamy (Lost) as Little John. At 2.5 hours I had heard stories of people being bored and time dragging but it didn't for me, in fact it flew past so always a good sign.

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RE: Honestly, Empire... - 14/5/2010 10:36:02 AM

The Hooded Man

Posts: 2721
Joined: 12/7/2006

quote:

ORIGINAL: BOHEMIANBOB

I know people who still think that is a "quality" film.
No accounting for taste.

Imagine someone with a different opinion than your own, whatever next?

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Post #: 26

RE: Dear lord no! - 14/5/2010 1:34:06 PM

kumar

Posts: 5080
Joined: 2/10/2005

Its an original take on the sory and I wasnt expecting involvement of the French. Instead, I was thinking I would see a King/Sheriff vs Robin as has been done previously. It has a decent story line and a fairly intricate ish plot, with good play between marion and robin. Its pretty funny in some places too. However the characterisation of everyone else was pretty bad in my opinion and I didnt really care for anyone else other than robin and marion. Additionally surprising were the tame battle sequences, i mean really tame. From ridley and russell expected far more than what I saw. The obvious calling for a sequel at the end was equally as jarring.

Its an ok film, it might grow on me. 3 stars.

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Post #: 27

RE: Honestly, Empire... - 14/5/2010 3:40:51 PM

BOHEMIANBOB

Posts: 1884
Joined: 31/1/2010
From: Dublin

I wasn't being a snob there.
When i say there is no accounting for taste,i included myself in that!
I quite liked that movie myself actually.

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Post #: 28

RE: many think WHAT? - 14/5/2010 3:42:47 PM

BOHEMIANBOB

Posts: 1884
Joined: 31/1/2010
From: Dublin

Jeepers,not a fan then?
or of Jesus?

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Post #: 29

RE: Hmmm. - 14/5/2010 6:50:01 PM

Bighousewill

Posts: 244
Joined: 5/12/2009

I see there are mixed responses to this film some people think it dragged a bit. I loved it because I was transported to a time and a place in my opinion it is good escapism and it had really good production values. I think empire knocked a star off because of Russel Crowes accent and because Mark Strong was a baddie but not the sheriff of Nottingham. The film felt realistic to me because you can see what it would be like to put a castle under siege or what it would be like to be a medieval soildier. You could also see the distinction between the rich and poor the costumes were very intricate and extravagant look at prince john for example and look again when he becomes king I think it is accurate to the period. If you compare it to previouse efforts that green pointy hat springs to mind. Robin Hood was ace in my opinion. I think its the best Robin Hood Ive ever seen and its a worlds better than Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. Can anyone think of a superior Robin Hood film? Im talking costumes historical accuracy(Not including story which is a legend and this is just another take on the story) also battles, locations and modern standards with state of the art film technology in the hands of Ridley Scott which makes a really good film.

Oh and Russel Crowe's Robin Hood wasnt Maximus from Gladiator, he was a completely different character altogether seriously the whole film isnt Gladiator its a different kettle of fish altogether I know this because I love Gladiator and own it, ive seen it many times. You can compare it to Gladiator but they are very different.

Post #: 30