Riding Through the Glen...

Sorry that this is likely to be shorter than anticipated. I've had one of those days where the world says 'hey, you know what, you're just not fucking busy enough already. Have a whole load of shit to sort out'. Nevertheless I shall attempt to give you a brief review of the latest Ridley Scott/Russell Crowe endeavour 'Robin Hood'.

Rather apt for the current situation, Robin Hood: Origins, as it could easily be called, depicts a country in turmoil. On one level it's a tale of kings - the popular, bellowing warrior, Richard the Lionheart (as apparently played by David Coverdale); Amoral, preening tosser, King John (as portrayed by any South American tennis player you care to imagine); and pantomime villian, Frenchy type, Phillip II (as gurned by Jay Rayner). Alright, so that's all in jest but there are a number of curious casting decisions, be they Scott Grimes (perhaps best known to English viewers as Morris from ER) as Will Scarlett, Canadian hardman Kevin Durand as Little John or Danny Huston as the aforementioned Coer de Lion. Cue a mix of rather interesting accents.

I should point out however that this in no way detracts from the quality of the performances. Crowe is in full shouty warrior mode (see: Gladiator) as Robin Longstride (of the Hood - I know, gangsta...), Mark Strong is (in the most predictable piece of casting) the villain of the piece and performs to his customary high standard. Veteran Swedish screen legend Max von Sydow gives a compelling performance as Sir Walter Loxley and Cate Blanchett makes the most of a beefed up Marion role.

The best scenes are those which recreate the magic of Gladiator (which Robin Hood has the unfortunate task of standing in the shadow of) that is to say the battle scenes. Scott's control over the noise, whirling limbs and charging horses is masterful and while some of the middle scenes are perhaps a touch tame for hardcore Ridley Scott fans, the piece as a whole provides an original and highly entertaining take on the story behind one of the biggest figures in English folklore.

Four Stars

Best Line: KING JOHN (to ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE): Spare me your farmyard memories.

(You probably had to be there...)