The creators of the Resident Evil series take on a classic and the purists are worried. Do they have reason to? Yes and no.
Let's start with the cast: there is light and dark here. The three musketeers MacFadyen, Stevenson and Evans are great choices and Jovovich obviously enjoys her over the top role as assassin/double agent Lady de Winter. Christoph Waltz only needs a few facial expressions to nail a wonderfully arrogant Richelieu. To cast Orlando Bloom as cocky villain is unexpected and refreshing, but sometimes he takes it a little far. Remains the main character, D'Artagnan, who does not only have a horrible hairdo but is also an unlikable brat, thanks to Lerman.
The script stays surprisingly close to the basic premise of the book, but takes plenty of freedom with the details, of course. Some of those work, others don't. The airship idea, giving a bit if a steampunk feel, is fun and makes for a spectacular showdown, the end of which may be silly but at least unlike anything seen before.
The creators clearly played some Assassin's Creed to get some ideas (Venice, DaVinci's machines) but at least a lot of scenes were filmed on location and do feel real. The fencing fights are fun, well choreographed and the 3D effects actually do add a depth to many scenes, even if not all.
And then there is the adorable opening sequence, later used for map views too, which probably wouldn't exist without the Game of Thrones TV show but is still very well done here.
Overall a film that lacks the charm of the older versions, but is entertaining and offers plenty of action, while refusing to take itself too seriously. The purists will find plenty of reasons to hate it, but the new generation may actually enjoy this version.
6 out of 10 airships.
*MySmiley*
You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.
You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.
The Three Musketeers (2011)
13/09/2011 09:34:25 AM
- 842 Views
Oh dear. I may not survive this. *NM*
13/09/2011 01:34:33 PM
- 185 Views
I plan to...
13/09/2011 09:51:33 PM
- 485 Views
are there French actors who would lower themselves to an America Film?
14/09/2011 02:49:53 PM
- 420 Views
Lower?
14/09/2011 11:52:46 PM
- 444 Views
The "lower" was mostly a joke
15/09/2011 01:45:59 AM
- 564 Views
Re: The "lower" was mostly a joke
15/09/2011 04:28:36 AM
- 447 Views
I explained to you why a majority of America would not be comfortable.
15/09/2011 01:27:19 PM
- 428 Views
Re: I explained to you why a majority of America would not be comfortable.
16/09/2011 10:48:36 PM
- 428 Views
That seems a bit harsh.
14/09/2011 07:35:56 PM
- 606 Views
I am confused...
14/09/2011 09:46:45 PM
- 396 Views
At a guess ...
14/09/2011 10:05:00 PM
- 499 Views
No. I try to pretend Valkyrie doesn't exist.
14/09/2011 10:12:25 PM
- 571 Views
Can I ask why? You've got me curious.
14/09/2011 10:33:57 PM
- 478 Views
Are you really trying to make me argue both sides of the argument in one thread?
14/09/2011 11:04:50 PM
- 454 Views
Clearly the answer is I shouldn't refer to movies I haven't seen nor want to see.
14/09/2011 10:10:37 PM
- 440 Views
I had no idea Scarlett and Ashley were played by brits *NM*
14/09/2011 11:01:06 PM
- 194 Views
And not just any Brits... Leslie Howard died on some sort of mission for his government in the war.
14/09/2011 11:08:26 PM
- 399 Views
Ok, if Orlando Bloom is a cackling over-acting villian, I may have to see this.
13/09/2011 10:03:06 PM
- 446 Views
Haven't seen it yet, but...
14/09/2011 02:17:02 AM
- 565 Views
I think with that attitude it is entirely possible to have fun with this film. *NM*
14/09/2011 11:48:50 AM
- 194 Views
Definitely waiting for this to hit the cheap theater. Then it can just be a guilty pleasure. *NM*
15/09/2011 01:24:23 PM
- 193 Views