‘Robin Hood’ Comes Out of the Woods

Here’s a look at new tapes you’ll find in the video store this weekend, starting with one of the year’s most eagerly awaited releases:

“Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” (Warner, $24.98, PG-13). In distancing itself from the classic ‘30s movie, this 1991 hit tries a little bit of everything--dark tones, social stances, Spielbergish action scenes, gross-out violence and even farce (especially in Alan Rickman’s over-the-top playing of the Sheriff of Nottingham). All in all, it’s an entertaining enough way to pass 144 minutes--even if Kevin Costner was miscast in the title role.

Other movies new to videocassette include “Impromptu” (Hemdale, $92.95, PG-13), “A Rage in Harlem” (HBO, $92.99, R), “Stone Cold” (RCA/Columbia, $92.86, R), “The Big Bang” (Fox Lorber, $79.95, R).