I’ve been reading the first critics to come out on Robin Hood. And the consensus response seems to be, “do we really need another Robin Hood?”
Let me state first that I will be seeing this movie regardless of reviews for two reasons. First, a dirty sweaty Russell Crowe is one of my favorite things in the world to look at. And if he’s in a leather jerkin (please, god), it’s worth the price of admission. I don’t really care if he’s a giant douche in real life. He makes my ovaries light up like a pinball machine (ding-ding-ding-ding TILT!), and has ever since The Quick and The Dead. Yes, I love that movie and I feel no need to defend myself over that. Second, I love Robin Hood.
I have ever since I was a kid and saw the old Errol Flynn version (hmm, another antipodal d-bag, perhaps I’m sensing a trend). I don’t just love Robin Hood. I want to BE Robin Hood. Forget Marion. I wanna shoot arrows, run through the forest, sit around the campfire singing Greensleeves with my Merry Men, and rough up rich kids for their lunch money. In fact my deep-seated distrust of the wealthy may have its roots in Robin Hood of Sherwood. And Molly Ringwald movies.
It’s just an immutable fact of fiction – being the good guy should be cool. And Robin is just hella cool. He’s crafty. He’s good with sword, quarterstaff, bow and the one-liner. He’s the guerrilla-fighting underdog. And, if you’re lucky, he’s gonna have a kick ass accent. Oh, and he stands up for the downtrodden and poor.
So, really that question boils down to “do we really need another hero?” And the answer will always be, “if it’s well-done, yes.” Robin Hood should be reinvented for every generation. Though, truthfully, for me it doesn’t even need to be that good. I’m a sucker for a man in tights.
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5 comments:
I'm sure I'll see uit - but I'm definitely in the "really? another version?" camp - esp after the recent BBC series - plus I'm a bit ticked at Russell for saying he displike all the other versions and HIS one was finally getting it right - them's fighting words 'cause to me the Flynn version is still as good today after 20+ viewings and yes, I'll stick my neck out amd say I also lovedthe new age-y, pretty boy Michael Praed version too -
Think he and Ridley could have made any new movie they noth desired - no realy need to remake a legend - but if it makes the Costner version go away finally, I'll b happy
I loved the Michael Praed version. His Marion had one of the best heads of hair to ever be on TV. I liked Robin and Marion. I liked the Disney version. I liked Men in Tights. And Errol Flynn is always going to be the benchmark. I think there's material there to mine over and over again.
Hating Russell Crowe for being arrogant is like hating the sun for being bright. Boy is a capital "D" Diva.
He looked darned amazing in Gladiator... count me in!
That shade of blue that he wears in his training tunic just made his eyes all dreamy. I haven't had a chance to go yet. Trying for this weekend.
LOL - forgot about the Disney version - how I used to love that as a young chica - think I crushed on that little Foxie big time - he was basically Errol Flynn in furrier clothes.
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