ROBIN HOOD (D+)

Starring: Russell Crowe , Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Mark Strong and Max von Sydow

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Story: The Robin Hood adventure chronicles the life of an expert archer, previously interested only in self-preservation, from his service in King Richard's army against the French. Upon Richard's death, Robin travels to Nottingham, a town suffering from the corruption of a despotic sheriff and crippling taxation, where he falls for the spirited widow Lady Marion, a woman skeptical of the identity and motivations of this crusader from the forest. Hoping to earn the hand of Maid Marion and salvage the village, Robin assembles a gang whose lethal mercenary skills are matched only by its appetite for life. Together, they begin preying on the indulgent upper class to correct injustices under the sheriff. (Universal Pictures)

Rated: PG-13 for violence including intense sequences of warfare and some sexual content

Bottom Line: They definitely missed the bull’s eye…but almost missed the entire target in Russell Crowe’s ROBIN HOOD. It essentially boils down to two hours and twenty minutes of ‘wait-and-see-if-it-gets-any-better-seat-fidgeting’ as director Ridley Scott tries to mirror the playbooks of much better movies like GLADIATOR, BRAVEHEART and SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. He loses…and, aside from great acting and beautifully captured scenery, so does the audience as we’re never treated to the adventurous, spirited, merriment of the man with the bow. Say what you will about Kevin Costner’s cheesy and painfully-accented turn as the same character in the early 90’s – but at least his movie tried to have a little fun.

ON DVD/BLU-RAY NEXT TUESDAY (5/18):
Invictus with Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon B
Valentine’s Day with Ashton Kutcher and Jennifer Garner D-
Extraordinary Measures with Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser D+