Robin Hood... it's good.

Forget what you know of Robin Hood—that he steals from the rich to give to the poor—because this version sets the legend upright; he is an avenger for justice."

“Rise and rise again until lambs become lions.”

(a reference to Jesus, coming first as a Lamb, promised to return again someday as the Lion of Judah... never give up.)

Amid gallant rescues, blazing battles, and bolts of lightning cutting the gray sky in the distance, this is the civilized world in turmoil, with Robin Hood leading the nation toward liberty and enlightenment. He deals in contracts—neither having faith nor initiating force—and, when foreign invaders make their presence known, he steps up to speak out and call for a “charter of rights” establishing “liberty by law”. Neither a prince nor a thief; this Robin Hood is a man of reason.

Marion, his lady and his equal, when the government comes to steal her wealth, dictating that “no one should have 4,000 acres” Marion replies: “it's 5,000 acres.” No little woman depending on others to defend her property, she knows how, when, and why to use a weapon.

The power-lust of religion meets the power-lust of the state and, as England becomes a God-state, Robin Hood assumes his well-deserved role as outlaw, legend, hero to the oppressed. With strong characters, stunning conflicts, and Russell Crowe playing Robin Hood just right, getting there is half the fun.

Review: Robin Hood

by Scott Holleran