39/50: Robin Hood

I don't know the true/main story of the original Robin Hood. My memories of Robin Hood stem from Disney's version and Kevin Costner's Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. I guess you can also toss in Robin Hood: Men in Tights.

So, when I watched the Russell Crowe version of Robin Hood I was immediately confused. Isn't the Sheriff of Nottingham supposed to be the bad guy? Well, according to the Prince of Thieves he is. Or, was it Prince John?

In this version it appears to be France that

is the enemy. Until we get to the end, but I am getting ahead of myself.

So, Crowe stars as Robin Longstride, and fights in the Crusades with a man called Robert Loxley. Longstride along with a trio of others, Will Scarlett (Scott Grimes), Little John (Kevin Durand) and Allan A'Dayle (Alan Doyle) return to England to notify Loxley of his son's death and Robin is asked to pretend that he is in fact Loxley returned from the war - and also take care of Loxley's girlfriend, Lady Marian (Cate Blanchett). Did you get all of that? I know it's confusing.

Anyway, in my opinion this film was setup as the beginning of a series of films. The ending, after Robin helps defeat the French, Prince John burns the treaty that was drawn up to relieve taxes against the commoners. He also declares that Robin is an outlaw.

Here is where the film, or next film, should start up. This is the setup we needed to begin where everything belongs. Robin is an outlaw. Prince John is the villain.

But, we will probably not get another film because this one was mediocre in its reception. Too bad because I feel they were setting up for something that could be fun. I have said before I am not a Crowe fan, but I handled him here. I am a fan of Durand, Grimes and Mark Addy (who played Friar Tuck), however, so I would have liked to have seen what happened next.

So, my grade reflects this particular film, not how good I feel the future films could have been.

Grade:

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

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You are in luck. I actually have both the time and a functional computer to write a blog review of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

It's been nearly 20 years since Harrison Ford was galloping on horseback in search of the Holy Grail in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Ford, now 65 years old, has dusted off his fedora for a brand new adventure - this time in search of a hidden, and some say imaginary, village.

Despite his age, a subject that is a running joke throughout the film, Ford definitely retains his magic as the titular character. The wit from the original trilogy remains, and in some cases is even better.

Joining Ford through this voyage is up and coming actor Shia LaBeouf. as Mutt Williams. I have enjoyed Shia since his run on the Disney show Even Stevens. And thanks to my joy of the creative process of movie making - I was able to witness Shia on the show Project Greenlight and subsequent movie, Battle of Shaker Heights. Since then he has really come alive, with hit movies like Transformers and Disturbia.

I felt that the addition of LaBeouf was very welcome. He did hold some chemistry with Ford and the future of the Indiana Jones franchise could be in his hands.

Karen Allen, who played Marion Ravenwood in Raiders of the Lost Arc, returns as Mutt's mother in this movie.

I will not dispose any of the secrets of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, but if you have been a fan of Indiana Jones in the past, then you should enjoy this movie. Like I said the humor definitely returns and the action is pretty much non-stop.

I wasn't sure if Cate Blanchett would be able to handle the job of being the villain of the film, but she certainly holds her own.

And if you are looking for the token animal attack (ie. rats, snakes, spiders), you don't have to worry - there is definitely something that attacks.

This film does have some unbelievable aspects to it. Certain things that are just pretty hard to believe. For instance, in two of the previous films Indiana goes after actual items - the Arc of the Covenant and the Holy Grail. In Temple of Doom and Crystal Skull the subject of the film is most likely fictional. Also, one of the parts of the action sequence is pretty hard to believe - but, this is a movie and it was fun to watch.

I would put this chapter pretty close to the originals. I wouldn't say it is the best of the bunch, but it certainly holds its own. I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone, especially those who enjoy action. An easy 5/5 grade from me.