Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
Alright, I’ll come right out and say it: You need to watch Robin Hood: Men in Tights before you watch Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. It’s the only way you’ll enjoy it. If you watch Prince of Thieves first, you will hate it. As Cary Elwes mimics in his Mel Brooks spoof, Kevin Costner doesn’t even try for a British accent as Robin Hood. Come on, it’s Robin Hood! I guess Costner figured he was too cool for school and his All-American charm would convincingly coast him through a famously English character. It didn’t work.
Maid Marian is utterly unappealing in this version, and during the entire two and a half hour running time, I found myself rooting for Alan Rickman’s Sheriff of Nottingham rather than the actual “good guy”. You will, too, trust me. Robin Hood is boring and far too lengthy, and the only good thing that came out of it was Mel Brooks’s spoof. Well, that’s not fair. There are two very good-looking men in the two leading roles, so at least the girls out there get some eye candy while they’re being bored to tears.
You will absolutely howl when you watch Men in Tights; it’s obvious that while it spoofs other Robin Hood portrayals, this 1991 version was the main inspiration. Literally, there’s a hilarious connection during every scene. If you take my advice and watch this movie after its spoof, you won’t just howl—you’ll snort and guffaw, and probably wet your trousers. And that’s the only way to go.
More Kevin Costner movies here!
More Alan Rickman movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1938's The Adventures of Robin Hood here!
Maid Marian is utterly unappealing in this version, and during the entire two and a half hour running time, I found myself rooting for Alan Rickman’s Sheriff of Nottingham rather than the actual “good guy”. You will, too, trust me. Robin Hood is boring and far too lengthy, and the only good thing that came out of it was Mel Brooks’s spoof. Well, that’s not fair. There are two very good-looking men in the two leading roles, so at least the girls out there get some eye candy while they’re being bored to tears.
You will absolutely howl when you watch Men in Tights; it’s obvious that while it spoofs other Robin Hood portrayals, this 1991 version was the main inspiration. Literally, there’s a hilarious connection during every scene. If you take my advice and watch this movie after its spoof, you won’t just howl—you’ll snort and guffaw, and probably wet your trousers. And that’s the only way to go.
More Kevin Costner movies here!
More Alan Rickman movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1938's The Adventures of Robin Hood here!