Boys in da hood

The new Robin Hood is filled with allusions to current politics - stricter new laws created for the public good "the law is under threat" as one the Sherrif's men claims at the beginning of the first episode; an unpopular war (the crusades) being waged abroad, the country standing "shoulder to shoulder with Rome" in the words of Keith Allen's Sherrif of Nottingham. But these references are a little heavy handed, ultimately this is adventure series filled with matinee idols and baddies you can boo. It's a glitzy production full of anachronisms which critics have been quick to pick up on. But viewers want a fantastic tea time romp and this provides it, with a heroic Robin [Jonas Armstrong] (who looks a little too young), a gruff voiced and villainous Guy of Gisborne and Keith Allen chewing the scenery as if it were big chunks of ham. My favourite character from the first

is Robin's valet Much, who injects welcome comedy into the drama while clearly suffering from post traumatic stress as a result of his time in the holy lands. Marian (Lucy Griffiths) is a little disappointing (despite her skill with a bow and a throwing knife) but there's definitely scope for improvement. Robin is, as usual, the straight man of the piece and we're bound to watch week after week for Allen's hyperbolically villainous turn - heroes are always the harder parts to play (look at Alan Richman compared to Kevin Costner in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves). In all, I say ignore the professional critics - this is a fantastic family show which has much to offer despite its silliness. The story of Robin Hood is mythical not historical, so there's no reason not to fill it with magic.

Robin Hood, BBC1, Saturdays, 7pm

A positive review from the Guardian
Mixed feelings from the Newsnight Review panel