Verdict: I enjoyed it. I almost enjoyed it a lot. That’s high praise from me. The movie was well-paced, though a bit long. Nothing was over the top or gratuitous; those involved rallied a great effort to maintain the PG-13 rating. The movie felt almost classical in presentation; the cinematography was crisp. While the dialogue could have been better, the film was well-shot and directed. I particularly liked that the final battle wasn’t some “epic” 3D affair with eleventy billion soldiers. You can tell this movie had good funding and it was put to good use by talented people. I hope they do a sequel alone the same tone.
Update: I appreciated how the music was understated, not brash or overt. It stayed to the side, letting the scenes conjure emotions instead of slapping us in the face with melody instructing us what to feel. That said, the use of tapping flutes during low-ley tension scenes was effective and a nice period touch.
What I didn’t like
- Marian’s “week-long” marriage to her now-deceased husband seemed a poor band-aid for the eventual plot hole of a sudden onset of love for Robin.
- The scene where the horses kick open the gate was poorly constructed to the point of unbelievability.
- The loyalty of Robin’s followers seemed glued on after he thrice left them to their own fate. Especially Little John’s.
- The Sheriff was under-utilized. Which is why I think there’s a sequel brewing.
- How Robin was rendered an outcast was anti-climatic after such a well-paced film, tacked on almost. Further cause for thoughts of a sequel.