Our Robin here is not the legend, or not just yet. The entire story is set before he became the legendary outcast, living in Sherwood with his brave friends. He just came back from the Third Crusade, trying to enter England by pretending to be one of Richard Lionheart‘s knights. On his real name Robin Longstride, he’s trying to fulfill the dying wish of Robert of Locksley, the one who had to take Richard’s crown and the news of the brave king’s death back to England. He’s being murdered by Godfrey, King John’s “right arm” and found while still breathing by Robin and his men.

So Robin takes on his identity and then travels to Nottingham to give Robert’s father the sword used by him in the Crusades. Walter, the knight’s father, encourages him to keep on impersonating his late son, so that they can prevent their lands from being confiscated by the crown. Maid Marion (Cate Blanchett) is not a maid in the first place, but already a wife, and there’s nothing ‘maiden’ about her, especially when she’s threatening to cut his “pride” with the dagger, if he chooses to act “manly” near her.

In the mean time, Godfrey, already an Earl Marshal of England, is plotting an invasion. He’d be the one to weaken the English army, by forcing people to pay even more taxes and burning down the villages where people refuse to give all they can, while the king of France would bring his army into the country and then deliver the last blow to a disgruntled weak army.

The French army lands in a similar scene to Normandy, in World War II, while Robin and his army are prepared to “welcome” them. King John gives a lot of promises, so that the army would follow him and support in the battles and the men proceed to kill everyone they meet on that beach. Russell Crowe is again the “gladiator” fighting and destroying anyone in his way, while Marion joins the battle as a brave soldier prepared to fight for her country.

The battle scenes look amazing and the entire movie is made for the “wow factor”, Ridley Scott proving once again he knows his directing. The character, even if pretty far from the legendary Robin Hood we know, is still enjoyable and the entire movie a pleasing cinema experience.

So, driven by all these reviews and recommendations I spent some time watching it.

Oh, the cliches … yes. It was like watching a Discovery documentary with the civilized Americans going into the jungle to meet god knows what forgotten and savage tribe. Yes, the plot was so linear and predictable, I could have slept the entire movie and woken up at the end, knowing exactly what to expect. And still, I would have regretted this.

Cameron’s movie is not a “difficult” one. I cannot say it’s been a revelation as some of my favourite ones (The Empire of the Sun, The Piano, The Hours, Schindler’s List or any other “serious” movie I have enjoyed), cannot say it made me “smarter” or made me really think about the real values in life etc. Nope, my brain was relaxed, my neurons took a pleasure ride into the beauty of Pandora and that simple and yet beautiful storyline.

The 3D work was superb, all the scenes and filming done to please US, with all it’s “flaws” for someone who tried to find the answer to some universal problems, the movie was a success when it came to really entertain us. I can’t say I’d recommend it for some revelations, because it lacks a serious depth, but I do recommend it for it’s power to present a rather boring story in a very innovative way.

The movie integrated a lot of ideas that are what we call “cliches”, all this nature mambo jambo might make you laugh. The trees and the nature bringing life, the “shaman” woman, the elf like creatures, taming of the “horses”, we have it all. And still, after the movie ends, we still have a smile on our faces. Some consider this movie to be amazing, some call it the best they’ve seen. In the end it depends on our movie knowledge and own values when it comes to the 7th Art.

Cannot say it’s been a revelation. Cannot say it’s my favourite or it changed my life. If we come to discuss plots and how it turned my values upside down, then it’s mediocre. If we discuss about how it was delivered and how in the end it really made my hours enjoyable, then it’s a success.

I’d see it again and, if you are one of the few who hasn’t watched it yet, make the effort. It’s not the ultimate masterpiece, especially if you are a snob as I am, but it should entertain you quite a bit.