Robin Hood (Director's Cut)

I will proudly call myself a fan of Ridley Scott who is one of my favourite filmmakers but, at the same time, I cannot deny that his work is not always consistently perfect and his 2010 historical action adventure Robin Hood neatly serves as a fine example. I first saw the film one evening with friends at the cinema while I had been bogged down with work and found it to be a pleasantly enjoyable piece of escapist entertainment. Rewatching it though with a clearer mind started to reveal some cracks and many years passed before I sat down recently to see if Scott's Director's Cut would deliver a stronger experience.

Set around 1199, Robin Longstride serves as an archer for King Richard the Lionheart during his crusades but when the king is slain in battle, he and his associates make for a run back to England where good fortune sees them sent to Nottingham, which is suffering from merciless and newly crowned King John, and the Sheriff of Nottingham. Meanwhile, one of King John's closest allies is secretly conspiring with the King of France who hope to launch an invasion and conquer England. 

While there are many familiar names going around, Robin Hood can be best described as a prequel before the archer became a hunted outlaw who stole from the rich and gave to the poor. Unfortunately, this never saw any sequels and reading how the script went through so many changes combined with an average box office performance and a mixed critical reception, it seems everyone was happy to move on. Yet despite that, there is still plenty to enjoy here if taken as a late Sunday afternoon easy-watching adventure if that's what you seek. 

There's plenty of political backstabbing, sword fighting, arrows being shot and horses being ridden into battle but it never reaches its full potential with Scott aiming to cram too much into the already extensive running time that spreads the story thin. The Director's Cut only adds 15 minutes with a few minor additional scenes which is a disappointment considering how Kingdom of Heaven elevated itself with the extended running time.

It's still all entertaining though before a rather messy showdown in the climatic battle which lacks the choreography of Gladiator to really impress, but is made-up for by a strong cast. Russell Crowe makes for a fine turn in the leading role who is accompanied by Cate Blanchett, Oscar Isaac, Mark Strong, Kevin Durand, Eileen Atkins, Danny Huston, Léa Seydoux, Matthew Macfadyen, and two late great heavyweight actors with William Hurt and Max von Sydow. The cast is simply stacked with talent but the screenplay is unfortunately just not there to do them or Scott justice. Robin Hood still looks great, benefitting from a restrained use of CGI, and I had fun watching this but it needed a few more drafts in development. 

I know I'm going on a bit but the film is still filled with notable highlights including the casting of a young Oscar Isaac as King John but I particularly wanted to mention William Hurt's performance as William Marshall. Hurt is perfect as the elder statesman who lived a fascinating life, worthy of a Ridley Scott film, and I wish he had been the focus instead of Robin. There are only a few scenes with this character but they are all during the film's strongest moments making it such a sadly missed opportunity when Robin Hood is so safe that it really does nothing for Scott's career. Scott knows his history and I do wonder if he saw the film he should have been making in William Hurt. 

Regardless though, Robin Hood is still a fun adventure whether you choose between the theatrical or director's cut but it is a far cry from the grandiose thrills Scott and Crowe delivered ten years prior to this. It just needed a sharper narrative and stronger final act to really land an impression when surrounded by stronger competition, mostly all of which directed by Scott himself.