Robin Hood

It is almost entirely derivative of other movies (Ridley Scott's own Gladiator, obviously; Saving Private Ryan; The Return Of Martin Guerre and its Hollywood re-make Sommersby; Peter Pan ... for goodness sake; Elizabeth; The Fellowship of the Ring, oddly enough ... those are four 12th Century Hobbits making their way through the Shire - sorry back to England; El Cid; even Kostner's version).  Maybe Ridley Scott is tired or has run out of new ideas. 

And parts of the movie are simply ridiculous.  One thinks of the preposterous idea that King Richard would have debated the lack of moral fortitude in his Crusade with an archer; the 12th Century landing craft that pre-date the invention of such vessels by 750 years; the 'Allo 'Allo Frenchies; the risible arrival of Marian and the lost boys at Dover Beach; Russell's dad as author of the Magna Carta to name but several.

One really could pick it to death.  But why bother?  At the end of its two hours none of us felt cheated out of the ticket price.  It's silliness on a stick but enjoyable enough with (sadly too few) light-hearted fun moments, some impressive battles and a quite watchable portrayal of people getting on with life outside of battles and the Royal Courts. It ought not to work but despite itself, at times, it does.

And let's hope no one mentions the fact that I left my bag, phone, wallet, keys, credit cards ... the lot ... on the floor beside the seat in the front row and didn't notice until we reached the Spanish hot chocolate cafe.  Dumkopf!!
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