By Mark HadleyMonday 17 May 2010MoviesReading Time: 2 minutes
Robin Hood
Rating: M
Distributor: Universal
Release Date: May 14, 2010
Ridley Scott has out-done himself, presenting the world with a fresh view of one of the best-known British folk stories, without corrupting the myth itself. Without giving anything away Robin Hood is a creative film full of plenty of plot surprises, without veering into the ridiculous (at least until maybe the very last ten minutes).
Russell Crowe reprises his role from Gladiator somewhat, but it’s the sort of character that he was born to play so there’s not much hard done. The background on which he appears is also a rich retelling of life during the Crusades, adding to the film’s overall entertainment value. There is some sex and obvious concerns with violence that accompany most M rated films.
If there is a disturbing shortcoming, though, it is the universally negative perception of the church Robin Hood presents. The clerics, save Friar Tuck, are presented as so spiritually minded as to be no earthly use. Worse, they are caught up in the wealth and power of this world. One chides Marion (Cate Blanchett) for missing his sermons. She responds, “I like a quiet church when I pray.” True religion, it seems, is not something to be intruded upon by the rantings of the pulpit. Obviously this is an extension of modern thinking into the Middle Ages; it overlooks the deeply religious nature of that part of our British heritage. That said, it may be a rebuke worth considering in this present day. Have Christians presented such an institutionalized, codified front to their faith that there doesn’t seem to be any room for the personal experience of God? All up, a safe, entertaining and thoughtful watch.
Harry Brown
Rating: MA
Distributor: Icon
Release Date: May 20, 2010
Vigilante films are a dime a dozen, but Harry Brown makes one of the first serious arguments for taking the law into your own hands. Michael Caine plays a retired Royal Marine who, as a pensioner, lives a life bounded by depressing housing estates and a drug trade out of control. The tortured death of a close friend leads him to wonder if someone should obey a government that can no longer provide protection?
This film has Dirty Harry elements but includes a disturbing insight into the drug culture and the extreme selfishness that drives it. Not one for the feint-hearted due to the explicit violence, not to mention the language and the sexual content. More serious though, from a Christian standpoint, is its challenge to the concept that vengeance belongs to God or the authorities He appoints. If neither He nor they are able to intervene why shouldn’t someone take things into their own hands? This film has a lot in common with Gran Torino but nowhere near as much hope. It begins with despair and ends with not much more.