It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

Don't Believe the Hype

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

I have seen this movie over 10 times. Years later it's still stands strong. It's an awesome movie that I WILL watch again.

Continuing my plan to watch every Kevin Costner movie in order, I come to Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves from 1991.Plot In A Paragraph: When Robin of Locksley (KC) and his companion (Morgan Freeman) come to England and are confronted with the tyranny of the Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman) he decides to fight back.1991 was a big year for KC, I remember prior to this movie and JFK being released, I read an article called 'How Do You Follow Up A Movie Like Dances With Wolves?' and it was a great read about the pressure of following up a movie that won 7 Oscars. I think he delivered in spades in 1991, and continues his great run. I don't care what people say about his accent, KC is my Robin Hood, and both of my kids Robin Hood, for a long time, my eldest always referred to KC as Robin Hood, no matter what movie he was watching him in. He plays it a bit more serious than Errol Flynn, but he is much more fun, than the Russell Crowe version.Just like in Die Hard, Alan Rickman steals the show as the Sheriff of Nottingham, he is fun, over the top and with his sneering delivery of his one liners, he is in full pantomime villain mode, and his is the definitive rendition of Nottingham's Sheriff. I adore Rickman, and think he is an under rated actor, who only seemed to be appreciated after he left us too soon Christian Slater is fine as the jealous Will Scarlett and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is OK as Maid Marian, but she changes from a strong, independent woman when we first meet her, into a clichéd damsel in distress by the end of the movie.In the late eighties (starting with 'Street Smart' opposite Christopher Reeve) and particularly the early to mid nineties. Morgan Freeman could do no wrong in my book. A wonderful actor who brought a touch of class to every movie he made. Then something happened, every movie maker and studio caught on to the fact, and he suddenly became the 'go to' guy. Then suddenly he was everywhere releasing several movies a year, all of varying quality. Often he was in supporting roles. Some were brilliant, some were still enjoyable (Million Dollar Baby, Bruce Almighty and Now You See Me) some were not (Take your pick!!) and you often think "I hope he was well paid" as he clearly took this for the money. This is thankfully one of the former. Freeman plays a Azeem, a man committed to prayer, whose loyalty surpasses all others and whose level-headed guidance proves he's much more than a sidekick. He is an equal. Sean Connery pops up too as a favour to KC, and donated his salary to charity too. Michael Kamens score seems to be forgotten about, due to the success of Brian Adams song, Everything I Do (I Do It For You) which dominated charts everywhere. 14 weeks at the top of the Billboard Chart, and a record breaking 16 weeks at the top of the UK charts. Don't get me wrong, it's far from perfect, the pacing is a bit off at times, with some unnecessary subplots dragging it down a bit. But there are so many memorable moments, it doesn't matter. I don't think I will ever not enjoy watching this movie. Prince Of Thieves ended the year with a domestic gross of $165 million, ending the year, the 2nd highest grossing movie of 1991. 8/10 for this Reviewer. I almost went with a 9/10 such is my enjoyment of the movie.

Dear Sheriff of Nottingham: MARRY ME.In all seriousness, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves possesses reasons to watch all the way through. Besides what I referenced above, there is the look of the film, which feels enough like the romantic middle ages that you're content living in its environment, even if you're not interested in the plot. I barely was. Robin and Marian aren't the most dynamic couple in film history, alas. Good Lord, Costner's acting is awful. But it makes me laugh, so there's that. The screenplay is nothing to write home about either. Robin: "What do we need that the forest cannot provide?" Me: "Antibiotics?" The story focused on the wrong character. No one ever stood a chance against Mr. "Cut your heart out with a spoon." Rickman singlehandedly bumped my rating up to 7 with one of his best performances. The extended cut restores scenes with Rickman which were removed allegedly because Costner didn't want to be upstaged. It's entirely possible. I like Mortiana, too. Unlike with LOTR, I genuinely wish I could appreciate the whole of this film rather than the parts. If you personally do, you are not as picky as I, for which I commend you. It is good if you want to relax for two hours.

I recently watched this to see how it held up over time and unfortunately its age is starting to show. American audiences in the early 1990s didn't get hung up on details like cultural accuracy, but today, thankfully, they are more discerning. The frivolity of 1990s film making is beginning to show through in the numerous cracks in this film, yet it still manages to be entertaining in spite of Kevin Costner not even attempting a British accent, or any of the other numerous flaws. I don't know if this is a spoiler or not but for example, at the film's climax Costner and Freeman are trying to bash through a door that has been barred on the other side. Somehow the witch character appears inside the room, then on the outside where she confronts them, then at the very end she's back inside the room hiding for the right moment to pop out and surprise everyone...all while the door is still barricaded and Morgan freeman is still bashing away trying to get in. Oh well, overall the film still manages to be somewhat entertaining (probably thanks to Alan Rickman) but if you saw this in the early 1990s you might cringe watching it now.