Family Film Friday: Disney's Robin Hood

A few weeks ago, my kids and I enjoyed a movie night featuring one of our old favorites: Disney's "Robin Hood".  I grew up watching this movie, and it has been a genuine pleasure getting to enjoy it with my kids.  It hearkens back to a time when Disney focused on simpler story telling.  Here's what they had to say about it:

Joel:  "Wesley, what movie did we watch tonight?"
Wes:  "I don't want to say anyfing.."
Jack:  "The movie was called Robin Hood."
Joel:  "Right Jackie...now there are lots of movies made about Robin Hood.  What is different about this one?"
Corrie:  "Well, for one thing...I know that Robin Hood is kind of a children's story, but most of the movies made about it are for grown ups...it's not like Wesley or Jack's thing yet.  So, this one is a cartoon, and its animals, and I think that the most important thing about it is that it's funny, but it isn't too grown up...like kiddo funny."
Joel:  "Who's your favorite character Corrie?"
Wesley:  "You know the guy who sucks his fumb..."
Corrie:  "That's Prince John."
Joel:  "Prince John...is he your favorite character Wessie?"
Jack:  "My favorite character is the main character."
Joel:  "Robin Hood?  Why do you like Robin Hood Jack?"
Jack:  "It starts up at the arrow contest, but then he gets away..."
Corrie:  "I think I like Maid Marion and Little John.  Little John is actually the way the stories describe him.  The cartoon kind of exaggerates how big he is...I like how also he is kind of sweet."
Joel:  "So, what's the main story of Robin Hood and why do you like it?  What does Robin Hood do in the movie that makes you like him so much?"
Corrie:  "I like the archery...I wish I could do that.  I also like how smart and quick and clever he is."
Joel:  "Yeah, but what gets him in so much trouble in the movie?"
Jack:  "Because of Prince John and all the taxes."
Joel:  "But what does he do to them that makes them so mad?"
Corrie:  "He robs them to give the money to the poor."
Jack:  "You know what I heard Prince John say at the beginning of the movie?  Robbing the poor to feed the rich...that's not true."
Corrie:  "That doesn't make any sense!"
Joel:  "So, do you know who Prince John is based on in history?  Do you remember the really important document that was signed during John's reign?  You might remember."
Corrie:  "It's the Magna Carta."
Joel:  "And what did that do?"
Jack:  "It killed a lot of people?"
Corrie:  "No no no no...it kind of helped the people to be a little bit more free.  What we learned from Mom is that they were more free.  Before the Magna Carta, people just had to do what the king said.  After the Magna Carta, they were only outlaws if they broke the law."
Joel:  "The couldn't be outlaws just because the king said?"
Corrie:  "Yeah, like right now, we don't do whatever the president says, unless it's a major order from them."
Joel:  "Jack, what is your favorite part?  One of the reasons I like watching this movie with you guys is that this is a movie I watched when I was a kid.  I always really like the minstrel.  I always just thought it was a fun movie.  I liked Little John because he's a sweet guy.  And I liked the part where Friar Tuck gets really mad at the Sheriff and he starts hitting him with the staff."
Corrie:  "You want taxes, I'll give you taxes!!!"
Joel:  "It's a legend right?  A lot of movies have been made about it, and we've watched a couple.  But what makes this one special is that it's just kind of fanciful and fun."
Corrie:  "My favorite part is the battle at the archery contest."
Jack:  "That's my favorite part.  Smashing pies in everyone's faces...Maid Marion smashes a pie in Nutsy's face."
Joel:  "Well, I had a really good time, and I 'm glad we watched it together."

Trailer Tuesday: The Bourne Legacy

I think this franchise will totally miss Matt Damon, but here's hoping Jeremy Renner takes the baton well: