Robin Hood Trailer Reaction: 3 Ups & 2 Downs
Genius or generic?
The first trailer for Robin Hood has finally dropped and, if we're to rely on the short preview, then it looks like the Otto Bathurst-directed film will be one of this year's most action-packed.
The movie, which is produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, is set for release in November and will look at Robin's origin, as the eponymous protagonist (Taron Egerton) will swap a life of nobility for one of crime, thanks to Little John's (Jamie Foxx) influence.
The trailer features some pretty action-packed sequences, and Egerton proves himself in the title role. The editing techniques used in the short preview are fantastic, highlighting both the battle sequences and the more subdued romantic scenes, giving all movie-goers something to get excited for, which - given everyone's initial reaction to the project - was no easy task, that's for sure.
Whether the trailer has actually managed to convince that the Robin Hood story is one that needed yet another re-telling is up for debate, however. What's more, the movie appears to share several similarities with last year's King Arthur, and the less said about that movie, the better. With only a few months to go until the film's release, it's likely that this trailer will be make or break for some people.
Here's the trailer...
So how did it go down? Here's the negatives...
Downs...
2. It Doesn't Look Medieval
When we first heard that the story of Robin Hood was being retold on film, it's safe to say that we were expecting something medieval. While there are some medieval elements throughout the trailer, it's hard to know when the movie takes place. In fact, it looks as if the writers couldn't decide when to set the film, so they opted for a mix between medieval and modern day. Dialogue, for example, is very much of the modern era.
It's the costumes, however, that are the worst offenders. Both the protagonists and the antagonists are sporting what appear to be designer versions of the classical outfits, which - considering many of the characters aren't exactly well off in the money department - literally doesn't make any sense.
Sure, a bit of modernisation can work (Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, for example), but this Robin Hood has the complete wrong balance between the old world and the new.