Style over substance in reimagined ‘Robin Hood’

Taron Egerton as Robin Hood

It’s not the Robin Hood you may be familiar with, but it does have its moments. The rogue hero is reimagined anew in the action flick “Robin Hood,” giving him and his age-old tale more contemporary sensibilities.

That, however, doesn’t necessarily translate into a smooth, sturdy film. While the bow-and-arrow action sequences look and sound like frenetic gun battles, with corresponding explosions and death-defying stunts galore, some moments between the generally impressive imbroglios are unevenly executed.

Starring Taron Egerton as the outlaw archer beloved by the masses, the film brings up his past as a soldier in the Crusades, prior to his stint as the legendary vigilante, who steals from the rich and gives to the poor.

This nobleman Robin of Loxley, unlike his fellow soldiers, shows compassion to a prisoner of war.

Sent home to England because he tried to save that captive foe, Robin discovers his mansion gutted, and his property confiscated by the greedy Sheriff of Notingham (Ben Mendelsohn), who also falsely announced that the young man had perished in the conflict.

Robin also discovers that his lover Marian (Eve Hewson) has moved on, living in the slums with a new partner, Will (Jamie Dornan).

But Yahya (Jamie Foxx), who goes by his name’s English translation, John, makes Robin an offer he can’t refuse: John will train him to be a more competent warrior, to cripple the corrupt Sheriff’s regime, thereby disrupting its war-profiteering operations.

“Robin Hood,” directed by Otto Bathurst, has that rebooted dynamic of the Merry Men working for it. But, the titular hero has a considerable aura of imperviousness.

Sure, he’s often imperiled, getting into potentially lethal battles head-on. But despite getting hurt a lot, Robin—or, Rob, as Marian calls him—survives deadly weapon punctures almost immediately.

Egerton is a capable actor, effortlessly exhibiting his longing hero’s vulnerability. Still, Rob’s perception of invincibility goes double for John, who fiercely cuts a swath through foes with unbelievable ease.

The story has been reinterpreted dozens of times, and this modern take—where the costumes often look impressive but too “present-day”—can be counted among the adequate ones. It works, but as an average, style-over-substance popcorn movie.