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Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

List Price: $19.96
Your Price: $15.97
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Fun and funny
Review: A kick back and enjoy film. One you don't have to think about much to enjoy. I thought all the actors did a fine job. The DVD is basic. No extras to speak of, but this isn't a film that requires deep analysis. You have to take it for what it is. Its a very good value for what it delivers; A few hours of enjoyment.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: An American success
Review: There's always a risk in filming historical persona and events. For a variety of reasons, Americans are particularly clumsy at this process. The lack of long-term national traditions is a major factor. Another is the desire to be innovative. Introducing new elements to a story is mind-expanding, but almost forces historical flaws. What we don't know we can fabricate. If it's done with the right actors and visual appeal, the accuracy can be overlooked. This film is a perfect example of a production that shreds historical accuracy and tradition, but gives us a superb adventure story delivered within an excellent visual environment.

"Men in Tights" was right - Costner doesn't sound British. His effort in this film is certainly a prime example of how Americans see the Middle Ages - stilted language, stiff delivery and an exaggerated idealism. Morgan Freeman doesn't sound terribly Arabic, nor are we given a hint as to where his English language capabilities were obtained. Yet he adds so much to this production James Robinson must be congratulated for including him. Alan Rickman, who nearly walks away with this film, is perhaps the most convincing character. With the possible exception of Michael McShane, whose Friar Tuck is certainly a departure from traditional portrayals, but which likely is the most accurate.

Given all this carping, Robin Hood is a fine film in its own right. With the American penchant for simplicity, the story becomes a contest between good and evil, period. We're able to overlook the issue of how the crusades nearly bankrupted England. Tax collectors don't win popularity contests anywhere. Rickman is just the worst of a bad lot, and gives Nottingham's character an aura of evil rarely encountered. One can't help but wonder what this film would have been like if he'd played Nottingham's boss, King John. Certainly, it might have made the surprise ending with Big Tam's [Sean Connery] cameo as Richard more interesting. In all events, this film is well worth the investment so long as you don't take it as history. It was a lucky investment for me, since i bought it in VHS. The DVD customers seem to have had a rough road.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Decent movie but horrific DVD
Review: Well lets start with the movie before we get to the DVD format. The movie itself is good. The action and story move along nicely and the movie certainly entertains despite a somewhat lackluster performance by Costner as Robin Hood. The supporting roles, especially by Freeman, are superb and make up for Coster's sub par performance.

Now for why I gave this DVD 2 stars. Everything about this DVD is atrocious. First it is recorded on both sides with no identifiable marks to tell which side is A or B (there is in really TINY print on the center part of the disk an A and a B on the other side but you have to put it to your nose to see them)and there is no 5:1 surround or DTS to take advantage of the terrific sound effects in the movie. Then there really isn't any good add ons for the movie except a somewhat shoddy but interesting historical background on Robin Hood.

Overall I would recommend saving your money and buy the VHS edition or hope they release a special edition DVD that fixes these shoddy oversights that really take away from the DVD edition of the movie.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: This is my worst DVD
Review: I found this to be the worst DVD I have purchased. The picture is very dark and grainey. The extras a text only, but informative. Another problem that it is one of two DVDs I own (the other being "Gone with the Wind" that requires me to flip the DVD over to continue the movie. The makers of this DVD should be ashamed. They took what good be an all-time favorite Dvd and did it cheaply. I would recommend waiting to see if they fix the problems.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: fun movie--lousy DVD!
Review: I'll admit it--this movie is one of my "guilty pleasures". Never mind that Kevin Costner's performance as Robin Hood won't make anyone forget Errol Flynn. The rest of the cast is great--especially Alan Rickman, and this particular take on the story is very entertaining. My problem is that whoever designed the DVD version must be related to the woman who designed the presidential ballot in Palm Beach County!! Whoever you are, having a movie divided by two sides went out with LP albums and laserdiscs! Sure, there are DVD's with material on both sides of the disc--in most cases, it's two different versions of the same movie. It can be be widescreen/pan & scan or original version/director's cut. The point is that I don't know anyone who enjoys getting up in the middle of a movie to flip the disc over--that's why laserdiscs never enjoyed a lot of popular acceptance! It would be nice if this movie could be re-released on a DVD that is not designed like a butterfly ballot!!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Shameful, Embarrassing Spectacle
Review: Kevin Costner has never been more inappropriate in a role. Not only is he lacking a proper accent, he's lacking any and all presence. He's an anachronism in a film that might have been good.

Admit it, Coster is good as long as he plays the everyman. When he takes on the role of larger than life characters, he can't do it. Look what he did to Wyatt Earp! That film still gives me the shivers. And let's not forget that Mariner guy in Waterworld. Wow, what a fantastic hero. Wake me when it's over.

Kevin, stick with people like John Dunbar from Dances with Wolves, or Ray Kinsella in Field of Dreams. Bull Durham was perfect for you. Don't try to be bigger than you are, you come off looking foolish and egotistical. We don't want you to be Mel Gibson. You can't play big roles.

But Robin Hood beats them all. I was so embarrassed for Costner, affecting a terrible accent, or simply forgoing said accent. This might not be so bad if he wasn't surrounded by Authentic British Actore, Some With Classical Shakespearean Training! I kept hoping Little John would introduce him as "Robin, my cousin from Kansas!"

Yes, that would explain it all.

I also take offense at them playing an attempted rape scene for laughs. This is simply a hideous motion picture

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Great film, poor DVD quality
Review: I loved this film when it first came out, and bought it recently when I saw it out on DVD. Unfortunately the production quality was terrible. Picture was grainy, colors seemed out of sync at times, and there were skips and artifacts at several places. The CD is two sided, unclear why. I tried several other DVDs to make sure it wasnt the player. I'd recommend this film to anyone - on VHS.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Everyone in the movie pulls their own weight except Costner.
Review: Kevin Costner's vanilla presence as the lazy, no-English accent Robin Hood drags the film down to three stars. This politically correct version includes a liberated fighting Maid Marian and ethnic awareness caused by Azim, Robin's Moorish companion from the Crusades. Morgan Freeman's multi-tasking Azim and Alan Rickman's comical but dastardly, scene-stealing Sheriff of Nottingham cause Kevin Costner to lose relevance in the movie. Great cameo by Sean Connery as King Richard though.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Men in Tights
Review: Kevin Costner is a thought actor. He works best alone, in close up, with his inner thoughts casting shapes and shadows on his face. This is why "Dances With Wolves" and "Field of Dreams" were such successful films. Interacting with other actors he becomes at best mediocre. Put him in green stockings and get him to gallivant around Sherwood Forest speaking with a stupid English accent he hasn't broken in yet, and he looks like a complete dork. This film is also spoiled by its countless anachronisms. For example Moors were Arabs or Berbers, not so different from Southern Europeans. They definitely weren't African Americans.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Costner strikes again
Review: Kevin Costner plays yet another Robin Hood in this wonderful action adventure movie. In my opinion though, this one is set off from all the others. Costner plays Robin's part just fine and the supporting cast is fantastic. I didn't even notice his accent until I read the many complaints people made in their reviews. This movie has a great plot starting out with a prison scene that is kind of creepy but plays a vital role on how he meets Azim. It goes on to how he sets off back to England only to find his father dead and ends up living with a band of outlaws in the forrest. In time he becomes their leader and helps lead a semi-revolution against the Sherrif. The best part of the movie I think was when the barbarian savages are attacking the village and while every one else is fleeing, Robin plucks up three arrows sticks two in the ground, then one by one starts mowing off the savages. That was an great part. I would recomend this video to people who are tired of the "action adventure" movies that have no plots and are nothing but a bunch of explosions and gun fights. This movie is for the whole family and someday I think will become a classic.


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