Let’s be honest for a second. When the 2018 reboot of Robin Hood hit theaters, the critics absolutely eviscerated it. It was called unnecessary, a mess, and everything in between. Because of that, I avoided it for years. But the other night, I finally decided to put it on with zero expectations—mostly because I’m not a Robin Hood purist who needs every adaptation to strictly copy traditional folklore.
And you know what? I was completely blown away by how much fun it is.
Contrary to all that early negative press, I found this movie to be a total blast from start to finish. If you’re willing to let go of what you think a medieval movie is supposed to look like, there is so much to love here.
A Visual and Sonic Spectacle
First off, the movie is visually captivating. The filmmakers went for this wildly unique, futuristic-medieval look for the world and the characters. Think medieval Nottingham, but heavily stylized with slick, modern textures, high-fashion-inspired trench coats, and action sequences that feel closer to a tactical superhero film than a traditional period piece.
Accompanying those gorgeous, stylized visuals is an absolutely epic score. The music pumps energy into every single frame, matching the film’s high-octane pacing. It makes the archery battles feel incredibly intense and cinematic.
Top-Notch Acting (And Jamie Foxx Stealing the Show)
The acting across the board is top-notch. Taron Egerton brings a great, charismatic energy to Robin, but we need to talk about Jamie Foxx. As Yahya (Little John), Foxx is tremendous. He anchors the entire film with a powerful, commanding screen presence, acting as both a hardened mentor and the emotional heartbeat of the story. His chemistry with Egerton is fantastic.
What I also appreciated was the tone. While the movie takes its action seriously and isn’t overly campy, it doesn’t suffer from the brooding, overly bleak atmosphere of some other recent reboots. There are plenty of well-written jokes sprinkled throughout that briefly lighten the mood at just the right moments, keeping the runtime feeling incredibly breezy.
Final Verdict
If you went into this movie expecting a historically accurate documentary about 12th-century England, I can see why you’d be disappointed. But if you judge it for what it actually is—a fast-paced, stylish, action-packed blockbuster—it completely delivers.
I had a genuinely great time watching it, I would definitely watch it again, and I highly encourage everyone to check it out with an open mind. Ignore the critics on this one; it’s a hidden gem that deserves a spot on your watchlist.
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