The reviews are divided, with enthusiasm for the swashbuckling competing with frustration at the storytelling. Praise clusters around the supporting cast, particularly Alan Rickman’s gleefully camp Sheriff of Nottingham, while Morgan Freeman also draws favourable notices. Admirers enjoy the action, humour and irreverence, finding enough dash to forgive the untidiness. Even some less persuaded critics find the action sequences entertaining and the supporting performances stronger than the leads.
The divide is wide: what supporters find spirited, detractors find muddled or simply dull. Kevin Costner’s casting and performance attract repeated criticism, alongside complaints about the length, script and awkward insertion of modern social messages. Direction also splits opinion, earning praise for imaginative staging and criticism for being stolid. The AV Club goes further than most, arguing that racism, sexism and inconsistent characterisation make the film difficult to enjoy beyond its nostalgic appeal.