If Russell Crowe should ever get tired of the Hollywood production wheel and just want to "phone-it-in" for a few years, I think we've found his schtik. Although the movie depicting the historical events that lead up to the legendary life of Robin Hood is nothing life his Oscar-buzzworthy performance in Gladiator, one can't help but notice the similarities. (Part of that might be because Robin Hood is also directed by Ridley Scott, the man behind Gladiator - not to mention American Gangster, which also featured Crowe.) Regardless, the man has a calling for epic battles occuring in other centuries.
Taking the ingenious perspective of discovering who Robin was before he became the "Prince of Thieves," the film allows the viewer to slowly piece together the bits of fiction that allegedly originated from fact. Featuring a fantastic supporting cast, including the always capabale and scene-stealing Cate Blanchett as Marion, the film does not apologize for its intelligence and proceeds at a managable yet purposed pace. The cinematography is beautiful, as much as medival woods and grey English countryside can be, and the filth of the era is well researched and respected.
My favorite scene occurs at the end of the film when Robin's burgeoning band of revolters come to blows with the Royal troops on the beach as the French soldiers are attemting to invade. Come to think of it, I've never seen a beach battle scen on film that didn't blow me away. I guess I've never seen a Robin Hood movie I've disliked either!
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