The heroic acts of the legendary outlaw Robin Hood is one of those tales as old as time. A classic from English folklore, his legend has been told many times in literature classes.
This year, a modern spin to this classic tale comes via another take of Robin Hood.
A known thief who steals from the rich and gives the stolen stuff to the poor, Robin of Loxley (Taron Egerton) a war-hardened Crusader and his Moorish commander Yahya or John (Jamie Foxx) mount an audacious revolt against the corrupt English crown in a thrilling action-packed adventure with gritty battlefield exploits, mind-blowing fight routines and a timeless romance. Directed by Otto Bathurst, the film also includes actors Ben Mendelsohn as the Sheriff of Nottingham, Jamie Dornan as Will Scarlet and Eve Hewson as Marian.
The film offers its viewers with a brand new take on the timeless legend, combining non-stop action with effective humor. It may come as a bit predictable at times, but given the fact that the story is adapted from a well-known tale, the script penned by Ben Chandler and David James Kelly tries to steer away from its original source to form an identity-of-its-own. It acts as a revisionist prequel to the legend of Robin Hood, with some changes to the original source material. The film promises plenty of thrilling action set pieces. From its exciting arrow battle scenes to its explosive chase sequences, the film provides an exhilarating cinematic experience.
The film is also peppered with some hilarious jokes and one liners here and there to complete the fun.
Egerton doesn’t disappoint as the titular hero Robin. Lionsgate’s decision to delay the filming of the movie for over a year to accommodate Egerton’s Kingsman schedule was a smart move (the film has been in development since 2015 but only began filming by late 2016). The actor is perfect as the 21st Century hooded hero – gritty yet funny and witty. His charms worked well onscreen that made him sympathetic and adorable as the heroic outlaw.
Foxx also shines as his mentor/ partner in crime Yahya. Dornan, fresh from the success of the recently concluded Fifty Shades trilogy, was quite a surprise with his role in the film. Though I already saw what was coming for his character right from his first meeting with Robin, the twist of his fate added some spice to the story, especially the finale.
Ben Mendelsohn was perfect as the villainous Sheriff of Nottingham while Eve Hewson was stunning as Robin’s former lover Marian.
On top of that, the film also boasts of some pretty cool visuals, too. The hyper-modernized look of the film was really a cool touch to its classic story of a heroic outlaw. From the gorgeous locations, the luxurious sets, the extravagant wardrobe and the stunning visual effects, everything went on point.
This 2018 version of Robin Hood may be a bit predictable, but it didn’t stop the film from being fun and entertaining. It hits all the targets; it’s edgier, but a real crowd-pleaser.
RATING: 4/5
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