Robin and the Hoods is a fresh, spirited reimagining of the classic Robin Hood legend — told through a modern lens with a heart-warming, family-friendly twist. Directed by Phil Hawkins and written by Stuart Benson and Paul Davidson, this film cleverly transposes the timeless tale into a contemporary setting.

The movie redefines “stealing from the rich and giving to the poor” as a bold stand for justice, led by a new generation of unlikely heroes. The 100-minute movie is a fun adventure about an 11-year-old girl named Robin and her friends, the Hoods. When free, the ‘Hoods’ spend their time playing in an overgrown field they call “The Kingdom”.

In their imaginations, The Kingdom transforms into a medieval battleground with knights, castles and epic quests. Sticks become swords, bin lids become shields and cardboard forts become castles. The battle is on for ‘The Crown’.

The camera often shifts into a more stylised, cinematic mode to show how the kids see their world. Life was good until a mean developer, Clipboard, showed up with plans to build new things on their playground.

As the story progresses and the kids take on the greedy developer, their pretend games start to mirror real challenges. What began as a fantasy swordfight later parallels real-life missions — sneaking into offices, planning daring rescues, or defending their turf. But the “battles” are still staged in playful, childlike ways, blending medieval heroism with modern tech and creativity (like using drones, homemade gadgets, or coded walkie-talkie chatter).

Newcomer Darcey Ewart does an excellent job as the title character, and she saves the place. Naomie Harris, who has appeared in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, plays the businesswoman Clipboard, while Star Wars star Gwendoline Christie plays Aura, an activist. They have to go a long way as they share a story. Mark Williams from the Harry Potter series is featured as the town’s mayor, caught between the developers and the ‘developing’.

The central message of Robin and the Hoods is about the power of young voices and grassroots action — that even kids, united by friendship, courage and creativity, can stand up to injustice and make a real difference in their community.

You’ll cheer for Robin and the Hoods as they outsmart the bad guys and turn everyday objects into heroic tools. It’s the perfect movie to watch with your family — and who knows, your parents might end up loving it just as much as you do!

Published in Dawn, Young World, June 28th, 2025