Wednesday 16 March 2011

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves - A Tiger? In Africa?


Everything about this film should no longer work.  Everything about this film was pure cheese, even on release, and should never work.  I mean who can forget or is even allowed to forget the god-damn awful associated ballad from Sir Bryan of Adams?  

I'm not sure what the budget was for this film but seeing as Sean Connery got paid close to Marlon Brando fees for 60 seconds screen time I'm assuming it was hefty.  That then does not excuse the awful continuity on screen.  Swords appear and disappear at will, Costner's hair is wet, then dry, then wet, then dry more often than not.  The perspex glass cracking when a soldier gets a crossbow thrown at his face is the best bit.  As for  Costner covering himself in shit about an hour after Marion told him to take a bath, that's the best edit on show.

And while we're on Costner, he really does love himself and thinks he's the dogs.  Was there any need for the nakedness???  NO!!! At least he doesn't try an English accent, but that does mean we are left with his nasally tones instead. As for accents, what is going on with them. Christian Slater's wavering cockney, Morgan Freeman's Indian??? English actors generic English speak.  'You Tosspot'.

So there you have it, I could pick out endless faults with this film, and yet despite them it is still sooo much fun and way more fun than the recent Scott/Crowe effort.  You see the Robin Hood legend is all about fun and a simple story and there is no more simple than this version.  I love it.

Can't sign off without a special mention. Alan Rickman is immense in this film, playing classic Rickman of course, but so what. And THAT tune, just don't bother with the credits.  Sorted :)

1 comment:

Rob said...

Wait 'til you hear the accents in Season Of The Witch. Dear God, it makes the cast of Prince Of Thieves look like they were trained at RADA.