In the story that inspired Robin Hood, a farmer leads a rebellion against King Richard II’s tyranny that will determine their fates and freedom.

This film presents some interesting moral and historical ideas, though Paul Greengrass aims for something that always looks epic without always maintaining a strong pace. Andrew Garfield leads the cast very strongly here, which includes great actors such as Thomasin McKenzie, Jamie Bell, and Katherine Waterson, and a special standout being Woody Norman as the king. The action, sets, and costumes are all put together quite well, even if the director’s shaky/documentary-like camerawork that’s occasionally woven in with more grand, cinematic shots, doesn’t always fit. The movie’s runtime also tends to drag in the latter half, which takes out much of the film’s energy, even if the ending itself is quite memorable. Still, the movie thinks it’s far more shocking than it is, and it’s a serviceable film about the cycle of violence and corruption in monarchy, without ever rising above the pack of similar films like Braveheart or The King.