Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

Directed by Kevin Reynolds, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves follows Kevin Costner’s title character as he returns home from fighting in the Crusades and quickly embarks on a campaign of revenge against the man responsible for his father’s death, the villainous Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman). It’s clear immediately that filmmaker Reynolds, along with scripters Pen Densham and John Watson, is aiming for the tone and feel of an old-fashioned adventure picture, as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves certainly boasts many of the qualities that one has come to expect from such an endeavor – with, for example, the emphasis on larger-than-life action sequences and pointedly broad performances perpetuating that very specific vibe. Costner’s winning work as the iconic protagonist is matched (and occasionally overshadowed) by an eclectic, talented supporting cast that includes Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Christian Slater, and Morgan Freeman, although it remains clear, ultimately, that Rickman’s unabashedly over-the-top and scenery-chewing turn remains an obvious highlight within the proceedings. And although the movie’s midsection is packed with engaging, entertaining sequences, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves‘ 143 minute running time does, unfortunately, pave the way for a handful of lulls and dull spots in the far-from-briskly-paced narrative – with the action-heavy climax subsequently unable to make the enthralling, visceral impact for which Reynolds is undoubtedly aiming. The end result is a watchable yet woefully uneven blockbuster that could and should have been so much better, which is too bad, certainly, given the proliferation of overtly positive elements contained within the bloated production.

**1/2 out of ****