Robin Hood (2018): "A whole load of everything and nothing"

Robin Hood (2018)

Dir: Otto Bathurst

This new revamp of the famed British legend, Robin Hood, intends to bring a freshness to the told tale. Focusing on the origins of Robin Hood before he meets his band of merry men, Lord Robin of Loxley (Taron Edgerton) lives a lavish lifestyle with his newly found partner Miriam (Eve Hewson) before all is cut short with his enrolment to the Crusades. There he faces the brutality of war and the mercilessness of the Christian forces on their Arabian prisoners, one of which being Jamie Foxx. 

Upon returning home to England, the war-hardened Robin and Moorish commander (Jamie Foxx) plan a revolt against the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham (Ben Mendelson) to end the growing austerity.

Now, Robin Hood of course has its share of problems. But the positives of the feature remain firmly with the starring cast. Jamie Foxx may give up on his Arabian accent after two scenes but his charismatic style is a delight and bounces wonderfully off Taron Egerton’s arrogant swagger as a young Robin Hood. However, while the film contains two captivating characters, the film itself lacks in that very department. It hovers over a plethora of different tones and influences, that is loses a central focus to drive the film. Whether it be a political commentary or a romantic retelling of Robin’s plight, both themes are flirted with and then quickly forgotten or skirted over to make way for the featureless CGI heavy action scenes.

While the film has it's entertaining moments, overall Robin Hood borrows from Batman mythology, Indiana Jones and the brazen ‘edge’ of Guy Ritchie, and like Ritchie’s King Arthur, it fails to carve out its own voice.