WHO WORE THE HOOD BETTER – Costner vs. Crowe?

Based on my last review for Ridley Scott’s 2010 remake of Robin Hood, I have decided to pin Russell Crowe against 90’s Robin Hood Kevin Costner in a battle to determine who was the better outlaw?

Stats:

Costner:

Born: 18^th January 1955

Nationality: American

Oscar Wins: 2/3

Age at time of role: 33

Motto: Everything he does, he does it for us!

Crowe:

Born: 7^th April 1964

Nationality: Australian 

Oscar Wins: 1/3

Age at time of role: 46

Motto: On my signal, unleash…arrows?

Stage 1: Attire

Costner

At the time, he was a heartthrob and the hottest thing in Hollywood, who even went nude and flashed his butt during a bath scene. But we all know Robin Hood and his merry men are fond of green to match their home in Sherwood Forest, with Costner adopts more browns and dull whites for his Robin, let’s not forget he accessorises with a flashy medallion too. No tights - 6/10.

Crowe

We have missed that same impressive muscular physique Crowe displayed in Gladiator for some time now, but as a much older Robin Hood, I actually think Crowe is in great shape for this film. He models more greys and dull greens, adopting a less is more attire that’s a lot more down Peasant Street than Lord Avenue. Still no tights - 5/10.

Stage 2: Accent

Costner

No attempt made to even sound British, yet alone Northern and I’m definitely all about trying so a firm 2/10 for this.

Crowe

A good attempt! Okay its does kind of sound a bit like an Irish guy got into a brawl with an Aussie and ended up in a Lincolnshire pub drowning his sorrows, but it really could’ve been worst! A proud 5/10.

Stage 3: Bow Skills

Costner:

You just can’t deny that Costner looks awesome as hell when he fires that flaming arrow causing an explosion! “He” even triumphs on the splitting arrow challenge seen in Disney’s version of Robin Hood. Ace camera work there by the way! Our conventional Robin Hood utilising that focused stare and firm grip, he doesn’t let us down - 8/10.

Crowe

Now Crowe can wield a sword in a pretty inspiring fashion, as we saw in Gladiator, but his bow skills are still to be analysed. Throughout the film Crowe misses on several occasions when trying to kill villain Godfrey (Mark Strong), until eventually, in the shadow of the Dover cliffs he fires “that” arrow of ultimate destruction, piercing Godfrey in the neck. He doesn’t have the same flashy shots or even the same panache that Costner flaunts so charmingly in Prince of Thieves, but Costner ends up killing his foe the sheriff played by Alan Rickman, with a dagger nonetheless, so if we’re talking about who did it better in true outlaw fashion, I’d say Crowe fights a worthy battle here also - 8/10.

Stage 4: Chemistry with Marian

Costner:

Who wouldn’t fall head over heels for Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio! That extraordinarily curly hair, them big eyes and a spot-on British accent, I was sold! Costner steals a few kisses from Mary and they share an amusing banter-lead camaraderie. At the core is Costner’s ability to be the “better man” and act as protector, rescuing said damsel from being defiled by the horrid Sheriff! He succeeds and it is a typical happy ending for the couple so 7/10. 

Crowe:

Cate Blanchett is as fierce as Mastrantonio is sweet in 2010’s Robin Hood, a reminder of her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth a few years back. Nobody would’ve pinned her and Crowe to have much going for them in the chemistry department, but to my surprise I found there to be almost as much sexual chemistry as Bradgelina reeked in Mr. and Mrs. Smith, just with a middle-age veil! Full on snogs of passion with much less cringe - 8/10.

Stage 5: Knockout – The Speech to unite the people!

Costner

“I for one would rather die, than spend my life in hiding. The Sheriff calls our outlaws but I say we are free. One free man defending his home is more powerful than ten hired soldiers…the crusades taught me that. I will make no promises save one, for if you truly believe in your hearts that you are free then I say that we can win.”

Watch the full speech here.

Costner uses freedom to inspire the villagers to join his cause and has conviction and passion in his performance – 8/10

Crowe

“If you’re building for the future, you need to keep the foundations strong, laws of the land enslave the people to a king who demands loyalty but offers none in return, I’ve been to the South of France, Palestine and back, you build a kingdom the same way you build a cathedral from the ground up!”

Watch the full speech here. 

Okay, Crowe has a bit of an edge when it comes to delivering speeches but he’d be my number 1 pick for a best man any day. Short and sweet and to the point - 9/10.

And the final scores are in…

KEVIN COSTNER – 31/50

RUSSELL CROWE – 34/50

So Russell was my winner overall for a Robin Hood performance! When you look past the accent, it really was quite good and fulfilling despite the story being completely different to that we have seen before.  

New question… does it beat Disney’s cheeky, handsome, literal fox of a cartoon Robin Hood, that we all grew up with? Instant answer…NO WAY! 

What do you think? Who was a better Robin Hood?

Post by Rebecca Jennifer Munns