Robin Hood retold reboot reimagined

England's legendary outlaw Robin Hood returns to cinemas this week in yet another reincarnation of the heroic thief famous for stealings from the rich to give to the poor. Indeed the modern generation consuming entertainment media would most certainly have come across Robin Hood in cinema or television as one of the most popularly adapted medieval folklore that's royalty free. For the Gen-X, 1991's Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves led by Kevin Costner may be their benchmark to compare subsequent iterations against, despite being overly Americanised, e.g. Costner's Robin barely sounded English! Fast forward almost two decades to 2010, the Millennials may identify closer to Director Ridley Scott's big budget Robin Hood with Australian Russell Crowe in the leading role supported by an all-star cast.

Taron Egerton is Robin of Loxley, born into privilege but loses everything whilst away in at war in the Crusades.

This year's rebirth of Robin Hood brings a younger face to our hero starring rising action hero Taron Egerton, who is actually from England! Famous for his role as Eggsy in the two Kingsman movies, Egerton just recently turned 29 and would certainly find appeal amongst younger movie goers for his boyish smile and chiseled body.

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS 

Robin of Loxley (Taron Egerton) a war-hardened Crusader and his Moorish commander (Jamie Foxx) mount an audacious revolt against the corrupt English crown in a thrilling action-adventure packed with gritty battlefield exploits, mind-blowing fight choreography, and a timeless romance. 

"The Legend You Know. The Story You Don't."

Putting up Robin to thieving is an Arabian Moor known as John (in English) played by Award winning actor Jamie Foxx (Baby Driver, Amazing Spider-man 2, Django Unchained). Eve Hewson stars as Robin's love interest Marian whilst Jamie Dornan of Fifty Shades of Grey fame steps up as Will Scarlet. Another members of folklore is Friar Tuck played by Tim Minchin, providing godly counsel were heeded and then some. Of course taxing the good people of Nottingham is none other than the Sheriff embodied by Ben Mendelsohn (Star Wars Rogue One, Ready Player One).

The not-so-little John (Jamie Fox) is a hardened warrior fighting from the opposite side of the Crusades.

Marian, far from damsel in distress.

Will Scarlet is a rising community leader of the Mines.

This friar eparts from the classic rotund bald Tuck 

The ruthless Sheriff of Nottingham is all out for wealth & power.

Director Otto Bathurst wanted to start anew, and remake the mold with all the furious pace and contemporary action filmmaking. His “make it modern” mantra thoroughly upped the ante when it came to the film’s action. Old school static bow-and-arrow combat morphed into wildly, athletic clashes that bring a new energy and pop.

Armed only with bow and arrow, Robin becomes Nottingham's most wanted outlaw known as the Hood.

To prepare for the movie, Egerton trained to this generation's legendary modern-day archer, Lars Andersen. Hailing from Denmark, Andersen holds the world record for speed archery, firing 10 arrows in 4.9 seconds. Check out what he can do in this video and learn a bit more about historical archery:

Here are snippets of Egerton's training with Andersen translating to real archery stunts seen in the movie:

Andersen was especially gratified by how Egerton devoted himself to becoming as speedy and accurate an archer as he possibly could. So for you highly motivated readers who like to try your hand at this sport, check out Eureka Archery locally based in Klang Valley.

For the ladies who can't get enough of Christian Grey, take some liberties to swoon over this medieval version of him.

For reviews on this new Taron Egerton Robin Hood, refer to articles by Variety and Forbes.

The Malaysian Premiere for Robin Hood was held earlier this week at TGV 1 Utama. Special guests included hunky dudes for the search of Malaysia's version of Robin Hood (please steal from Jho Low and gift back to us ya?) as well as the Hood himself.

Candidates for Malaysia's Robin Hood.

Look-a-like or not?

Look out for these two characters transported from Nottingham to visit the following TGV Cinemas this weekend:

Also be rewarded for watching Robin Hood at TGV Cinemas by receiving a free poster for two tickets purchased as well as stand a chance to win movie premiums and TGIF dining vouchers via their Facebook contest (ends 23 October):

Similar movie premiums are also available vis GSC Cinemas Facebook contest (ends Sunday 25 November):

Over at MBO they are offering a Robin Hood member card for their Allstar club (it's Free):

Robin Hood is now showing in cinemas nationwide. Enjoy the ride!

The next chapter of Marvel's INHUMANS continues in IMAX

Marvel Studios has been going strong with their cinematic universe since launch of Iron Man in 2008. From the big screens to home screens, Marvel is not slowing down and continue to expand their presence by developing live-action entertainment from decades of comic book publications. Now get ready for their latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), THE INHUMANS!

Official Synopsis:

Marvel’s INHUMANS explores the never-before-told epic adventure of the Attilan Royal Family led by Black Bolt, the enigmatic, commanding King of the Inhumans, with a voice so powerful that the slightest whisper can destroy a city. After the Royal Family of Inhumans is splintered by a military coup, they barely escape to Hawaii where they are greeted with surprising interactions with the lush world and humanity around them. Now they must find a way to reunite with each other and return to their home before their way of life is destroyed forever. 

King of the Inhumans, Black Bolt played by Anson Mount.

Marvel's INHUMANS is an 8-part television series by Marvel Television & ABC Studios based on the comic book with the same name by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. It stars Anson Mount (Dollhouse) as Black Bolt, Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones) as Maximus, Serinda Swan (Tron:Legacy) as Medusa, Eme Ikwuakor (Hawaii Five-O) as Gorgon, Isabelle Cornish (Home and Away) as Crystal, Ken Leung (Saw) as Karnak, Sonya Balmores (Hawaii Five-O) as Auran and Mike Moh (Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist) as Triton.

Inhumans royalty, Black Bolt (right) with his Queen, Medusa.

This is the first television series to be shot with IMAX cameras with the first 2 episodes being released early to IMAX cinemas. Fortunately for us in Malaysia, TGV Pictures will be bringing us the Pilot episodes for Marvel's Inhumans as they are meant to be seen in IMAX. TGV Cinemas' IMAX screens are located in 1 Utama, Sunway Pyramid, Sunway Velocity, Gurney Paragon Mall (Penang), Aeon Tebrau (Johor Bahru), and Vivacity Megamall (Kuching).

Ken Leung as Karnak.

It was announced by Marvel in 2011 that The Inhumans movie was in planning stages as part of Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe scheduled for release in November 2018. However, the film has since been taken off from Marvel's movie roster. Since then The Inhumans have been introduced during the second season of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in 2014 as a major story arc in the television series whereby a key member of the principal cast was revealed as an Inhuman.

Daisy Johnson (Chole Bennet) as Inhuman Quake in Marvel's Agents of SHIELD

So who or what are exactly the Inhumans? Well, here's a brief comic book history lesson: Millions of years ago, during the Kree-Skrull War, the Kree race established a base on the planet Uranus, and during that time, they discovered sentient lifeforms on Earth, i.e. Homo Sapiens. They then took some humans for genetic experimentation, creating the Inhumans. After the war ended, the Kree left back to their home world, however, the remaining Inhumans created a society of their own.

The Inhumans in the comics led by Black Bolt (centre).

 

The Inhumans as introduced in Marvel's Agents of SHIELD contains a similar backstory involving the Kree (also seen the Guardians of the Galaxy movies). Here are core characters of the Attilan Royal Family in the MCU:

 

 

Black Bolt, King of the Inhumans. Black Bolt's power is his hypersonic voice. Even a single whisper can destroy a battleship, if he uses his full voice, it can destroy a planet which is why he is always silent to make sure he doesn't hurt the people around him. He communicateS with the help of his wife, Queen Medusa.

 

Medusa, Queen of the Inhumans and Black Bolt's wife. She serves as his interpreter. Her powers is the ability to articulate her hair which may be used like a weapon or protection.

 

Maximus, Black Bolt's younger brother. He holds a grudge towards his brother and wants to be the ruler of the Inhumans. Maximus is highly intelligent and in the comics has psionic powers but mentally unstable, granting him the nickname 'Maximus the Mad'. However it seems initially that Maximus in this live action series does not have powers and therefore forms the basis of disaffection between this brother Black Bolt.

 

Crystal, Medusa's younger sister. She is able to control and manipulate the four elements; Earth, Water, Fire and Air. 

 

Karnak, Black Bolt's cousin and close advisor. In the comics he is not an Inhuman buta skilled martial artist and is able to find any weak point on his enemies. In the TV series he seems to have an Inhuman power to "see the fault in all things".

 

Gorgon, Black Bolt's second cousin. He has hooves as legs and it can create destructive seismic waves with them. He serves as Black Bolt's bodyguard. 

 

Triton, Karnak's brother. He serves as the Inhuman's undercover operative. He has aquatic abilities and is able to breath underwater.

Plus, they have a GIANT pet dog, Lockjaw! And one with powers of its own, teleportation!
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The royal family's teleporting pet dog, Lockjaw.

So far from the synopsis and trailer, it seems that Maximus plots to overthrow his brother for the throne of Attilan. Black Bolt and his allies have no choice but to escape and they teleport to Hawaii, USA. Hence beings "fish out of water" story of an Inhuman family adapting to our world. And will they be able to return to Attilan and regain the throne?

  

Marvel's Inhumans in TGV IMAX Cinemas on 31 August

At the time of this blog post, we do not yet have information on where Marvel's Inhumans will be aired in Malaysia after this movie debut. Stay tuned to your regular pay-TV channels for updates. For now, go watch the pilot of this latest Marvel series at TGV IMAX cinemas from 31^stAugust!
 

We captured some reactions from local Marvel fanboys immediately after screening of the Premiere for Marvel's Inhumans. Here's what they have to say:

Disclaimer: Inhumans, its characters and other trademarks are copyright to Marvel Entertainment, referenced here for fan service announcements without intent to infringe.