From Amazon.com Kevin Costner's lousy English accent is a small obstacle in this often exciting version of the Robin Hood fable. That aside, it's refreshing to have a preface to the old story in which we meet the robber hero of Sherwood Forest as a soldier in King Richard's Crusades, coming home to find his people under siege from the cruelties of the Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman). After Robin and his community of outcasts and fighters take to the trees, director Kevin Reynolds (Fandango, 187) is on more familiar narrative ground, and he goes for the gusto with lots of original action (Robin shoots two arrows simultaneously from his bow in two directions). Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, as Marion, makes a convincing damsel in distress, and Morgan Freeman brings dignity to his role as Robin's Moor friend. Alan Rickman, however, gets the most attention for his scene-chewing role as the rotten sheriff, an almost campy performance that is highly entertaining but perhaps a little out of sorts with the rest of the film. The DVD release includes production notes, theatrical trailers, optional French and Spanish soundtracks, optional English, French, and Spanish subtitles, widescreen presentation, and Dolby sound. --Tom Keogh
Additional Features Well, the battling Kevins are friends again. Director Kevin Reynolds and actor Kevin Costner have made three films together, and had several notorious battles--most memorably over the Waterworld debacle--yet they're together for a very enjoyable and congratulatory commentary track for this new edition of their film. Costner, as usual, is quite loose for the commentary and is even candid about his "dumb-ass accent." This new cut is 12 minutes longer, adding a few new scenes, mostly with Alan Rickman's Sheriff of Nottingham, including a key plot twist. Another commentary track with Morgan Freeman, Christian Slater, and the two writer-producers is also fun, although the creator Pen Densham meanders into deep meanings about his script that the actioner never, thankfully, adopted. The second disc is a lot of fluff that will only intrigue the young, including interviews and a TV special hosted by Pierce Brosnan from 1991. There are extensive notes on the history of Robin Hood and a gallery of production photos and weapons. Best are the eight selections of Michael Kamen's stirring score recorded in Dolby 5.1. --Doug Thomas
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