IT'S NOT ALL GOOD IN THIS 'HOOD'.Byline: David Kronke Television Critic Several times through the first four episodes of BBC BBC in full British Broadcasting Corp. Publicly financed broadcasting system in Britain. A private company at its founding in 1922, it was replaced by a public corporation under royal charter in 1927. America's "Robin Hood," Robin (Jonas Armstrong) reminds his doltish dolt n. A stupid person; a dunce. [Middle English dulte, from past participle of dullen, to dull, from dul, dull; see dull. yet loyal manservant man·ser·vant n. pl. men·ser·vants A male servant, especially a valet. manservant Noun pl menservants a male servant, esp. a valet Noun 1. Much (Sam Troughton) to wait for "the last man," the laggard among the Sheriff of Nottingham's troops who might stumble upon their hiding place and undo their efforts. Among the scores of versions of "Robin Hood" listed on imdb.com, -- the Internet Movie Database -- this latest incarnation essaying the exploits of the legend of Sherwood Forest certainly wouldn't qualify as the last man, but it does fit comfortably as a laggard amid the pack. Veering wildly between the glib action jokiness that has become standard issue since the "Indiana Jones" and "Lethal Weapon" movies and an incongruous morose tone, this "Robin Hood" has a contemporary feel aimed more at younger audiences unfamiliar with the anti-hero's vast cinematic canon. Here, Robin's a bit cheeky -- he's avoiding the angry father of a lusty young woman within the first 10 minutes of tonight's episode. But only when he's not sulking under the burden of serving as the savior of the peasants oppressed by the corrupt, sinister Sheriff (Keith Allen), who is perfectly content to hang a poor man for stealing flour to feed his starving family. When he's not engaging in acts of derring-do and impossibly keen marksmanship Marksmanship Buffalo Bill (1846–1917) famed sharpshooter in Wild West show. [Am. Hist.: Flexner, 67] Crotus son of Pan, companion to Muses; skilled in archery. [Gk. Myth. with his bow and arrows, he's flirtatiously flir·ta·tious adj. 1. Given to flirting. 2. Full of playful allure: a flirtatious glance. flir·ta circling 12th-century riot grrl Marion (Lucy Griffiths), who, in one of the series' more tiresome conceits, is alternately beguiled be·guile tr.v. be·guiled, be·guil·ing, be·guiles 1. To deceive by guile; delude. See Synonyms at deceive. 2. and repelled by Robin's advances. Aw, c'mon, kids -- end your senseless bickering and proclaim your love already. Newcomers Armstrong and Griffiths are fresh faces who give their all to the material, good and bad. As the decadent Sheriff, Allen luxuriates in his exquisite nastiness, walking a tightrope with clever camp on one side should he fall, and over-the-top scenery-chewing on the other. Eventually, he does topple; you can guess in which direction. Throughout, Robin is posited as an ethical thief -- he refuses to murder his foes, though his opposition has no such genteel qualms. So you sort of wonder: Wouldn't he end the rampant suffering of innocents by offing the Sheriff of Nottingham Sheriff of Nottingham traditional badman; thwarted in at-tempts to capture Robin Hood. [Br. Lit.: Robin Hood] See : Villainy ? Hasn't he thought this through? Action sequences and music is appropriately rousing, but ultimately, this "Robin Hood" is a derivative rehash re·hash tr.v. re·hashed, re·hash·ing, re·hash·es 1. To bring forth again in another form without significant alteration: rehashing old ideas. 2. To discuss again. . David Kronke, (818) 713-3638 david.kronke@dailynews.com ROBIN HOOD - Two and one half stars What: Really? You need this explained? Where: BBC America. When: 9 tonight, 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday, 10 p.m. Tuesday (times may differ for satellite subscribers). In a nutshell: Serviceable, though not an inspired reimagining. |
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