Robin Hood (2010)

This Robin Hood spends 140 minutes on how an archer became an outlaw, then stops right where every other Robin Hood movie begins. Ridley Scott swaps the tights and the merry pranks for mud, tax policy and a French invasion, and the result is a war movie wearing a famous name. Russell Crowe is solid and very serious, which is exactly the problem: this Robin barely cracks a smile, and his accent wanders all over the map. Cate Blanchett runs away with it. Her Marion runs a struggling farm, fights back, and treats Robin like a hired hand who needs to earn his supper. Oscar Isaac plays Prince John as a spoiled, sulky royal, and Mark Strong makes a fine traitor. The battles look expensive, and you’ll forget them by dinner. It made $321.7 million worldwide on a reported $155M to $237M. A 4.8 because Blanchett and Isaac are worth the time and the legend got left at the gate. $86.46 says you reach the credits and wonder when exactly he was supposed to rob anybody.

What works: Cate Blanchett makes Marion tough and funny, and the battle scenes are big and handsome.

What doesn’t: It’s an origin story that stops before the outlaw part, and Russell Crowe’s Robin is too grim to be any fun.

Who it’s for: Fans of muddy medieval epics and castle politics who don’t need the classic legend.