| Overall Grade: |
B |
|
| Story: |
B |
|
|
| Acting: |
B+ |
|
|
| Direction: |
B- |
|
|
| Visuals: |
B- |
|
|
For a Disney Movie, It Was Below Average.
by M.E.H (movies profile)
Jan 13, 2007
20
of
26 people found this review helpful
Most of the Disney movies I've seen in the past have been pretty good. "Robin Hood" is good as well; just not up to par when compared to other, better Disney movies, such as "Cinderella" or "Lady and the Tramp."
The plot is simple, but it isn't as well-executed as it should have been. There should have been less emphasis on the secondary characters (such as Skippy, Allan-a-Dale, and the two vultures). The primary characters are not as easy to root for as they should be, especially in a movie whose plot is essentially a rehash of good guys fighting against bad guys so that "the little guy" can be treated with dignity and respect. Of course, there are a few songs injected throughout the movie, but without exception, none of them are very memorable.
The acting is okay, although I feel like Little John is just Baloo (from "The Jungle Book") placed in England instead of India. Part of this is because both are voiced by Phil Harris. The best acting is by Peter Ustinov as the reviled Prince John. Ustinov gives his unsympathetic character a comedic edge as a thumbsucking ne'er-do-well with an inferiority complex who happens to be related to royalty. Robin Hood and Maid Marian are so-so, while Friar Tuck almost seems to grate the nerves.
The quality of the animation is almost shoddy when looking at most Disney movies that are hand-drawn. The way in which this particular movie appears on a television makes it appear somewhat dull and grainy. Perhaps I've been spoiled because I've been watching movies that have been restored. Even then, the drawing of the characters isn't as detailed as one would expect it to be. Some scenes are well-drawn, but most are just blase.
The direction is the aspect with which I have the biggest issue in "Robin Hood." I personally think that the director could have done a better job putting this movie together in a logical sequence. There are about ten minutes of unnecessary scenes that could have been cut. The movie runs at eighty-three minutes, which is probably the longest Disney movie to come out in a while. I doubt that most kids would have been able to sit through past seventy-two minutes.
For a movie in general, "Robin Hood" is good. For a Disney movie, however, it's just not as good as it should have been.
I would recommend this movie for older fans of Disney who can completely scrutinize the actions of the protagonist in Robin Hood. Younger children (those under 7) who express interest in seeing this movie should see this with their parents, then discuss how they feel about Robin Hood's actions. Teenaged viewers interested in the legend of Robin Hood may also enjoy "Robin Hood: Men in Tights." |
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