Mel Brooks has made several spoof movies during his career.  Some of them have been more popular than others.  I tend to enjoy his movies and have added some of them to my DVD collection.  I just watched Robin Hood: Men in Tights again.

During the Crusades, Robin is captured and put in a prison where he meets Asneeze, a man who helps him escape.  Once back in England, Robin finds Asneeze's son Achoo and discovers that King Richard's brother Prince John has taken over while his brother is fighting in the Crusades.  Robin is reunited with Blinkin, his family's blind servant when he discovers that the family's lands have been taken.  

Robin decides that he is going to get his family's land back and get Prince John off the throne.  Robin meets Little John and ends up working with him and some other local men.  While working on their plans, Robin meets Maid Marian, a young woman hoping to find love.  Robin also has to deal with the Sheriff of Rottingham, a corrupt man working with Prince John.

Robin Hood: Men in Tights is a spoof of the story of Robin Hood.  It does seem to mostly go after Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, the 1991 movie starring Kevin Costner as Robin.  The basic idea of Robin stealing from the rich and giving to the poor is still in the movie, though things are twisted a bit since this is a spoof version.  The plot isn't overly complicated, though it isn't the simplest version of the story that I've seen either.  

Action turns up in several scenes of Robin Hood: Men in Tights, though it is more silly in nature overall.  Robin does get into a few sword fights throughout the movie that are done very well.  He and Little John also fight when they first meet.  There are a few short chase scenes and the training that Robin puts the men through is shown as well.  All of that does help to add action to the movie.  There is a bit of violence in some of the fights, though it really isn't that graphic or extreme.  What action there is in the movie does help to keep things moving and helps to make some things more interesting.  

Most of the humor in Robin Hood: Men in Tights is poking fun at other versions of the Robin Hood story.  It is the same type of humor that Mel Brooks has used in some of his other movies.  Some more modern things are mentioned every so often in ways that add laughs.  Some of the humor is slightly gross or suggestive, so parents may want to check out the movie before letting children see it.  I do think the silly nature of the humor works for the movie and helps to make it entertaining, but some people will probably feel differently.  A few humorous songs are used in the moving, including one with a dance number performed by the men. 

Robin and Marian meet during the movie and it doesn't take long for an attraction to develop.  They do attempt to act on that attraction a few times, but they are stopped by her servant Broomhilde or her chastity belt.  There are several jokes related to the chastity belt throughout the movie.  There are also some minor sexual situations and jokes.  Those things are a bit more subtle, so younger viewers may not catch them.  I don't think there is anything in the movie that would offend viewers.

Robin has been away fighting in the Crusades and he finds things very different once he returns to England.  He decides to deal with things his own way.  Cary Elwes handles the part really well.  Blinkin is the blind man who has worked for Robin's family for a long time.  He does what he can to help, though he frequently doesn't know exactly what is going on because of his lack of vision.  Mark Blankfield is fine in the part.

Asneeze is a man that Robin meets in jail.  Once home, Robin finds Achoo, Asneeze's son.  Achoo is the first to join Robin and he is very loyal to his new friend.  Dave Chappelle does fine with the part.  Little John ends up joining Robin.  Little John is a good fighter and works well with Robin.  Eric Allan Kramer is fine in the part.  Maid Marian is a beautiful young woman dreaming of love.  She is accompanied by Broomhilde, some kind of servant.  Amy Yasbeck and Megan Cavanagh handle the parts fine.

Prince John doesn't really do much other than raise taxes and enjoy his lavish lifestyle.  Richard Lewis is fine in the part.  Patrick Stewart makes a short appearance as King Richard.  The Sheriff of Rottingham ends up being the main villain since he is more actively involved.  He is not a nice guy at all.  Roger Rees does a really good job with the part.  Latrine is a witch who is after the Sheriff of Nottingham.  Tracey Ullman is really good in the part.  Mel Brooks turns up later in the movie as Rabbi Tuckman.

Main Cast

Mel Brooks - Rabbi Tuckman    
Megan Cavanagh - Broomhilde
Dave Chappelle - Achoo
Cary Elwes - Robin Hood
Eric Allan Kramer - Little John
Richard Lewis - Prince John
Roger Rees - Sheriff of Nottingham
Tracey Ullman - Latrine
Amy Yasbeck - Maid Marian
    
Mel Brooks - Director
               
DVD Information

My copy of Robin Hood: Men in Tights has the widescreen version of the movie.  I don't know if there is also a full screen version or not.  I just saw that the movie has been released on Blu-ray.  Robin Hood: Men in Tights - The Legend Had it Coming is a half hour special that was originally made for HBO that shows some of the filming of the movie.  Different cast members talk about their parts.

Robin Hood: Men in Tights is a silly movie, but one that is also entertaining.  People that like spoof type of movies, especially ones by Mel Brooks, should give this one a chance.

This review is part of CaptainD's Good Movie EpiGuide 3 Write Off.

Mel Brooks Movie Reviews
Blazing Saddles ~ The Muppet Movie ~ The Producers ~ Spaceballs ~ Young Frankenstein ~

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD