Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves 1991

Dave Kehr, Chicago Tribune: No longer a study in swashbuckling bravura, it is a depressive political allegory in which wit is as rare as a ray of sun in the gray British sky. Read more

Gene Siskel, Chicago Tribune: Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is an entertainment without a particular point of view. Read more

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: While the makers of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves may have set out to bury the poor old duffer of Sherwood Forest in a welter of trendy banter, they have ended up burying themselves as well. Read more

Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel: There's no subtlety in this Robin Hood, but subtlety isn't everything: Grit and obviousness have coarser charms, and the director makes much of these. Read more

Desmond Ryan, Philadelphia Inquirer: Much as I admire Costner, it is the very qualities of honesty, honor and sincerity he projects so forcefully that encumber this Robin. Read more

John Hartl, Seattle Times: The fight sequences are explosive, the physical production is impressive, and the supporting performances are full of juice. Read more

Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine: Its ostensibly canny match of star and subject assures that Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves will fill theaters. But will it send moviegoers out enthralled? The message from this cracked crystal ball is: Naaah. Read more

Vincent Canby, New York Times: Mr. Costner and his associates seem to have approached their subject without a clear idea about the kind of movie they wanted to make. Read more

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: As a piece of escapism, this deluxe, action-heavy, 2-hour-and-21-minute Robin Hood gets the job done. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is a murky, unfocused, violent and depressing version of the classic story, with little of the lightheartedness and romance we expect from Robin Hood. Read more

Time Out: The mix of comedy, '90s sensibility, and swashbuckling action is more hit than miss, even if the overall effect is rather slapdash. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: The best that can be said for Costner's performance is that it is pleasant. At worst, it can be argued whether it is more properly described as wooden or cardboard. Read more

Hal Hinson, Washington Post: Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves has pomp and scale; what it lacks is something essential -- a sense of "Once Upon a Time" wonder, the exultant, heady thrill of legend. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: Fair damsels and noble sirs, you must free yourselves of these wearisome observations. This is a state-of-the-art retelling of a classic. Read more