Robin Hood: Season One

With its unwillingness to commit to either solemnity or silliness (not to mention a mostly inexperienced cast struggling with bad writing), this new BBC incarnation of the medieval freedom fighter is a rather tedious slog. The familiar story of 12th-century nobleman Robin of Locksley returning from the Crusades to battle oppression and corruption in his home shire of Nottingham, England is spread out over 13 episodes across five discs, which offer very little in the way of fresh or exciting material. Attempts (rather desperate, obvious ones at that) are made to inject some sparkle with a young photogenic cast (headed up by Jonas Armstrong as Robin), but they're better at looking good than being interesting, and the dreary scripts take lame stabs at contemporary concerns—the cartoonishly evil sheriff (Keith Allen) tells the fine folk of Nottingham that he is waging a “war on terror” against Robin—while also tossing in anachronistic “jokes” and Matrix-style martial arts. It would have been better if the series had wholeheartedly embraced the full-on goofiness of, say, Xena: Warrior Princess, rather than serving up this strained mishmash. The only truly intriguing character here is the sheriff's lieutenant, Guy of Gisborne (Richard Armitage), a conflicted and thoroughly fascinating villain (too bad the show isn't called Sir Guy). DVD extras include cast and crew audio commentaries on four episodes, four featurettes on production design, and character profiles. Optional. (M. Johanson)