Well Deserved Praise

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

OK so, when you first stick this on, you're more than likely to be disappointed at the production value. BUT if you can get past the sort of cheap and Canadian/ Rural English look it has about it, it is a great show. The way I got through the first episode was by pretending it had that Hollywood sort of sheen to it, you know, the sort of polished, expensive looking appearance of game of thrones. Anyways, if you don't get hung up on how cheaply it was made, then you will love it because its awesome. I have watched every robin hood, (Disney, men in tights, Russell crowe, Kevin Costner) and I am not disappointed. Each has presented the story in a different way and this show is not an exception. I would rank this as my third favourite representation of robin hood after Disney and Russell crowe.

Okay, the 1980s Robin of Sherwood series and in particular Michael Praed's performance as Robin set an unattainable standard in comparison to which any new shot at the material is bound to fall short. But they may have at least tried a bit harder. Whose decision was it to portray Robin as a smug, vain, self-assured womaniser? Why do the costumes look like something recently ordered from a "Cool Urban Gang Wear" catalogue? Those guys are just returning from a crusade, aye right, they look more like they're on their way to a night out with the blokes. Why does the camera take such care to show us that the "seasoned fighter returning from the crusades" has delicate hands like a noble lady? Why is there a medieval woman with a perm and heavy modern make-up, who lives with a "father" barely ten years her senior? Why is there a guard on the watchtower who looks like a dwarf escaped from the LOTR franchise? And why is said watchtower designed in such a way as to impale the guard should he try to move? Why does Robin patronise his old friend in the village by constantly stating the obvious ("Jane. Your good, strong wife.")? Why is Gisborne wearing biker's attire? And why is he so surprised to find out Robin's identity if two minutes later he claims that he's seen him fight before? What's with the epic!music merely to show two characters riding up to a house for a friendly visit? I watched twenty-five minutes of this garbage and then I couldn't stand it anymore. What is this even supposed to be? An action comedy? Was it supposed to be funny? All the jokes fell flat. Was Gisborne supposed to seem menacing? He seemed constipated. Was Robin supposed to come across as a decent man who feels outrage at the wrongs done to his people? He came across as fake. Having a ridiculous and pointless side-kick didn't help. And the side-kick didn't get any more likable just because he greets a bit to the sound of swords clashing in the background, so that the audience will say, "Ah, PTSD!" Will I tolerate this? No. Twenty-five tedious minutes are enough.

I tried watching this a couple times over the years, but kept stopping at the first episode because it was just so bad. But then I carelessly started it again recently - as background entertainment while I worked on a sewing project - and ended up sticking with it (though only half-absorbed most of the time) all the way through. Richard Armitage was great, but his earnest attempt to make something of his character could get awkward in contrast with the bad writing (I'd sometimes cringe, or laugh, or both, thinking, 'poor Richard Armitage, what will they make him do next?'). Harry Lloyd was underutilized. I was hoping (and had sufficient cause to presume) that his character was in love with Robin, but whatever gay subtext I thought I saw forming earlier on was sadly dispensed with. Marion always had a faraway look on her face (but less in a dreaming-of-a-better-world way, and more like she was shrooming). Toby Stephens was an unexpected treat in the third season, and made me feel a little less guilty for putting up with it still.I think this anonymous netflix review said it best: "I thought this show was great!..... Then my high wore off. It's campy, super cheesy, poorly cast, bad costumes and historically inaccurate but if you've got nothing else to watch it's not bad. The guy of Gibson is kind of hot, and you see him shirtless a few times."

This is the best version of the Robin Hood legend I have seen, movie or TV series, and I have seen them all. It could have only been made in England and be so true to the many variations of the legends and the characters in the legends. I loved the accuracy of the period from the weapons used to the bows and arrows and even to the coinage used in the series. I liked the humanness of all of the characters and the idea that We are Robin Hood. This too hearkens back to the many variations of the legend. If historical Robin Hood was likely many individuals. As legends do, he has become a concept rather than a person. Highly recommended.