Hmm… Where to begin, where to begin? This movie is undisputedly a classic. However…
The dialogue at times is choppy at best, and the actors do what they can with it. Some of them manage to deliver it, others can’t. I don’t know why the director kept putting lenses in his actors’ faces to have the warping effect of their nose is bigger then their heads. The editing at times is a bit all over the place, leaves some scenes hanging, and breaks some rules (e.g.: jump cuts, etc.). Some shots are innovative and have marked modern cinema, but still… The costumes and sets are fantastic, though.
Now, enough of the behind the camera stuff. Let’s talk about the actors and their performances.
Firstly, Kevin Costner. Even he admits that he wasn’t the actor for the job. He wasn’t able to deliver the more dramatic beats. And then, there’s the accent… Why was he not given an accent coach? Overall, the studio could have done much better than him.
Secondly, Alan Rickman. He delivered a very evil character as the Sherriff of Nothingam, to the point of him at times being a little too two-dimensional. But, he was brilliant, I can’t deny him that.
Thirdly, Christian Slater. A very standout and under-used performance. He was brilliant as Will Scarlet. He delivered the goods.
Fourthly, the rest of the supporting cast was all excellent in their roles.
So, a good film, even with the hindrances.
The new BluRay is an extended cut of the original film with never-before-seen scenes.
C. F. Pelletier
