Robin Hood > > ---------------> |((o))|

I just want to start off by saying..go see this movie! Director Ridley Scott has done it again, with this modern version of a classic tale. I overheard someone commenting a week ago that this movie is just like Gladiator but just in England. All I have to say to that guy is come on, just enjoy the film for what is it. Stop comparing it to Gladiator and just enjoy the experience (it wasn't really the same). Ridley Scott is joined again by Oscar winner Russell Crowe who stars as Robin Longstride a.k.a. Robin Hood. The setting of this movie is in the 12th century just at the end of King Richard the Lionheart's failed Crusades in the Middle East. Robin Hood was an archer in the King's army but through numerous twists of fate, he winds up at the home of a fallen soldier and meets the recently widowed and tough willed Lady Marian (Oscar winner Cate Blanchett). Meanwhile, trouble is brewing between the power hungry French King and a weakened England, and King Philip is presented with an opportunity to usurp the English throne. There is a TON of action in the movie (obviously) but I just wanted to note, that the action scenes were well done. There is a touch of romance here and there between Robin and Lady Marion and I appreciated how discreet it was at times but yet still powerfully engaging. They had such natural chemistry. I thought King John was played well by Oscar Issac. He really emitted the annoying and self-entitled air of the younger, jealous brother of the beloved Richard. There were quite a few comical bits intertwined with the more serious moments of betrayal, pain and the bloodiness of battle. Also, the villain of the film, Godfrey was played by the great Mark Strong. He's just so great at being bad. Overall, well done plot, great characters and a clean ending. I'm buying this when it comes out on DVD.
I'm going to give Robin Hood 9.1/10 arrows. Go see it!