This fall, as autumn leaves begin to wither and winter's chill sets in, fantasy fans can indulge in a peculiar treat: Robin Hood. Starring Sean Bean as the Sheriff of Nottingham, this medieval retelling ticks all the boxes for die-hard enthusiasts – or so it thinks.
In what appears to be a deliberately clumsy attempt at world-building, the show begins with an opening caption that reads like a textbook on Norman Conquest history. It's a refreshing change from the usual formulaic storytelling, but one can't help wondering if this might be an indication of the production's overall ramshackle vibe.
The show's narrative follows the traditional Robin Hood arc, with Hugh of Locksley teaching his young son, Rob (yes, you read that right – no wigs in sight!), archery skills and eventually becoming a royal forester. However, his struggles are quickly derailed by the treacherous Huntingdon and the ruthless Sheriff of Nottingham, played by none other than Sean Bean.
Bean's character is, as one would expect, delightfully villainous, but even he can't elevate this show above its inherently silly premise. The introduction of Priscilla, the medieval nymphomaniac daughter of the sheriff, feels like a tired attempt to add some levity to the proceedings.
One can't help but be charmed by the lack of wigs in this production – it's almost as if someone intervened and said, "No more stringy Yore-hair!" But, alas, this is not enough to redeem a show that feels more like a parody of itself than an actual attempt at storytelling.
Make no mistake, Robin Hood is terrible. But, if you go into it with the right attitude – as one would for a B-movie or camp classic – you might just find yourself having a surprisingly good time. So, by all means, enjoy this guilty pleasure while Sean Bean reapages his paycheck on another questionable project.
				
			In what appears to be a deliberately clumsy attempt at world-building, the show begins with an opening caption that reads like a textbook on Norman Conquest history. It's a refreshing change from the usual formulaic storytelling, but one can't help wondering if this might be an indication of the production's overall ramshackle vibe.
The show's narrative follows the traditional Robin Hood arc, with Hugh of Locksley teaching his young son, Rob (yes, you read that right – no wigs in sight!), archery skills and eventually becoming a royal forester. However, his struggles are quickly derailed by the treacherous Huntingdon and the ruthless Sheriff of Nottingham, played by none other than Sean Bean.
Bean's character is, as one would expect, delightfully villainous, but even he can't elevate this show above its inherently silly premise. The introduction of Priscilla, the medieval nymphomaniac daughter of the sheriff, feels like a tired attempt to add some levity to the proceedings.
One can't help but be charmed by the lack of wigs in this production – it's almost as if someone intervened and said, "No more stringy Yore-hair!" But, alas, this is not enough to redeem a show that feels more like a parody of itself than an actual attempt at storytelling.
Make no mistake, Robin Hood is terrible. But, if you go into it with the right attitude – as one would for a B-movie or camp classic – you might just find yourself having a surprisingly good time. So, by all means, enjoy this guilty pleasure while Sean Bean reapages his paycheck on another questionable project.