I’ve always been amused by the mockery and hate for the “British” accents of Kevin Costner, as Robin of Locksley, and Christian Slater, as Will Scarlett. The English language as we recognize it today did not exist in the age that these stories take place. The era was firmly placed in the Middle English age, which would be unrecognizable to those of us speaking modern English. It’s just silly.

A more egregious issue would be the historical inaccuracy but Richard the Lionhearted has such a place in British, and Western, minds and hearts that there is no presentation of accuracy that would be acceptable I imagine.

Robin of Locksley returns from the Crusades, with his protector, Hazim, to find his father dead, accused of devil worship, lands confiscated. He embarks on a war against the Sheriff of Nottingham who is trying to oppress the population and seize the crown.

It’s a bit of an uneven mess. It’s also entertaining.

The Good...

Alan Rickman! ‘Nuff said!

Rickman’s Sheriff is a brilliant, over-the-top performance that is great from beginning to end.

It flows pretty good.

The Not So Good...

Tonally, it is all over the place. It’s an uneven mess.

It’s entertaining but it’s uneven.

-all photos via IMDb.com.