Robin Hood came and went pretty quickly in cinemas in 2018, before even The Movie Mensch could see it. So, it was with great anticipation that we greeted the mail when Lionsgate Home Video sent out the 4K-Blu-Ray combo package.
Over the years, I have become a fan of actor Taron Egerton, believing there is nothing the British thespian cannot do (I mean just see what is teased of his take on Elton John in the teaser for the upcoming Rocketman). You might most remember him from his work on the two The Kingsman movies and hopefully were one of the few who saw him utterly dazzle in the true tale Eddie the Eagle. When it was announced that Egerton would tackle the titular character in BAFTA winning director Otto Bathurst’s film that is the one millionth version of the tale of Robin of Loxley to be brought to the big screen, his casting was the saving grace in our expectation.
Frankly, no one is asking for yet another Robin Hood. With Egerton wielding the bow and arrow with his powerful panache, I knew it had potential.
Sadly, even his supreme talents could not save this dreadful piece of failed filmmaking. Perhaps now, producers can let the Hood’s tale rest for a decade or two before visiting Nottingham again.
Robin Hood 2018 finds Robin of Loxley (Egerton) returning home from the crushing battles in the Middle East that were the crusades. If you recall your history, that religious-fueled fight did not go so well for the European visitors to the Holy Land. An entire generation of Brits returned home scarred from the horrors of war and Robin was one who took out his battle fatigue and frustration on those in power at home. After everything he’s been through on the battlefield, one can see why the pure exploitation that Sheriff of Nottingham (Ben Mendelson, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) was executing on the people would not stand. But, given the fact that the corrupt lawman ruled with an iron fist (and sword!), Robin had to be careful. So, he created an alter-ego—known by many simply as The Hood—to do his justice bidding. Yes, he would steal from the rich and give to the poor, a directive that would endear him to the people of Nottingham wholeheartedly.
His trainer and confidant is Yahya (also known as John). As portrayed by Jamie Foxx, he is a soul driven by the cause of doing what’s right and in a manner that has never been seen prior. He pushes his charge to the brink and his methods may appear maddening at times to Robin, but it is hard to argue with the results. Robin Hood is rattling the Sheriff’s cage and his inability to capture this hero of the people is undermining his ability to rule.
It’s funny. Egerton is trying his absolute best to elevate the material that is sadly—beyond saving. Mendelson, even at his villainous best, also cannot make something great that is innately intensely awful. Now, Oscar winner Foxx, I’m not sure what movie he thinks he’s in… and it shows. His accent is all over the place. His command of character seems to come and go as well. In fact, it probably struck him while filming Robin Hood that this thing was a dud and he decided to match its pathetic-ness note-for-note.
The action sequences illustrate something fascinating. Sure, they are intense and grab you. But, if the viewer does not care about the characters, they will not be invested in pulling for them to make it through these action scenes in one piece. Secondly, I’m reminded of that famous Jeff Goldblum line from Jurassic Park about just because you can doesn’t mean you should. The thing about Robin Hood is that the filmmaking technology has vastly increased since, say, Kevin Costner portrayed the Hood in the 80s. Therefore, one would assume that revisiting the story with modern action filmmaking techniques would be warranted. One would be wrong. This Robin Hood recalls the Guy Ritchie King Arthur in many ways. That film was also not necessary. It suffered the same issues, in terms of updating a story with action filmmaking techniques that could have literally turned water into wine and it would not matter, because the script failed all involved and overall—it was not something audiences were clamoring to be seen.
The saving grace of the home video release of Robin Hood are the extras.
The film nerd in me did care about how those action sequences were achieved out of pure interest in the art of filmmaking. In fact, the seven-part documentary on the making of the movie was ten-times more interesting than the film itself. Outlaws and Auteurs: Reshaping Robin Hood clocks in at four minutes over and hour and was an absolutely fun-tastic look at that cinematic technology advancement that I spoke of earlier.
Interviews with Bathurst, Egerton, Foxx and Mendelson are both enlightening and entertaining and provide an interesting look at modern movie making and how many of those eye-popping action moments came to be. The behind-the-scenes footage is pitch-perfect in how they are paired with filmmaker’s insight. It is surprisingly enjoyable and a stark contrast to the film itself. The charismatic stars shine bright on the featurettes. If some of that shine could have been achieved in the film itself, Robin Hood might have been a worthy endeavor.
The Outtakes bonus feature is quite joyous as well as something becomes clear between it and that making-of doc—even if what they made was not all that fun, everyone involved in making Robin Hood appeared to be having a blast.
Film grade: C-
Bonus features: B+