Another Reader Reports Back From That Las Vegas Test Screening Of Ridley Scott's ROBIN HOOD!

Beaks here...

Here comes our second review from Tuesday's Las Vegas test screening of ROBIN HOOD, and, once again, there are loads of GLADIATOR comparisons. This time, however, they're not so favorable. Let's see what MARZ has to say about the fifth collaboration between Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe...

Harry, I saw Robin Hood at Rave theaters in Las Vegas last night. I was also fortunate 10 years ago to be in the test screening of Gladiator in San Diego. I read the review from the other attendee, although his descriptions are accurate and the fact they did not rely on CGI was impressive, my guest and I walked away rather confused. The movie appeared to be Ridley's desire to make another Gladiator-style movie and using the source material of Robin Hood to do so. It was not made clear (purposely or not) at the beginning that this would a prequel-esque storytelling of what we all know to be Robin Hood. In no way do I think the film is a disaster, Russell Crowe gives a stellar performance and does a lot with the little he has to work with. My confusion contributed to the large cast of characters and the lack of distguising them from one another. King John and the Sheriff of Nottingham actually look alike, and there was an expectation that Sheriff would play some crucial role, however he does not. Other then hitting on Lady Marian and acting like a buffoon, his screen time is very limited. Ridley Scott is a master of the battle sequences, however there are so many they start to slow the pace of the film down and become repetitive. It appears they are targeting a PG-13 rating so the fights are always shot in very close quarters so the brutality of what is occurring is less apparent and more assumed. There are some shots that are just plain transplants from Gladiator. In the final act of the film the bow & arrow is no longer a part of Robin's arsenal. The gripes I had about the film is how much I lacked caring about the protagonists. We know Robin doesn't die and Lady Marian is played as a strong woman but lacking any felinity. You're often confused on what exactly they are fighting for or who they plan to fight against as you are constantly waiting for Robin to start stealing from the rich and giving to the poor (which doesn't materialize). You never feel like any of the main or supporting characters are in real danger, and the relationship between Robin Hood and Marian is forced. The end of the film happened so quickly and you are left thinking is this when the real story starts or does the film really end here? When origins of Robin Hood are revealed in the middle of the movie it seems all too convenient and only contrived to bring the character to a "chosen one" status. In Gladiator, we saw the fall and rise for a General and passionate family man. His personal vendetta was relatable and tangible, this story has less direction. Also, there are several villains in this movie but none of them rose to what Joaquin Phoenix played in Gladiator. His portrayal of Commodus was so good that I actually hated the actor for some time after. I have no do doubt that Harry and the rest of the viewing audience will come to enjoy this film. Russell Crowe will always demand your attention on screen and is just plain fun to watch. Cate Blanchett is still a beauty, and I fell in love with her in 'Benjamin Button.' Kevin Durand as Little John is just great casting and is funny as hell. Although, this movie is set up for a sequel, I would rather see a prequel staring General Maximus. Thank you, MARZ

I've heard other early reactions to the film, and they've all been on the positive side. This is a little surprising. That said, Scott is an inveterate tinkerer, so I'm sure this is far from the final cut (even though he's got another movie nearing production right now). ROBIN HOOD hits theaters on May 14th.