Just perfect...

Boring, over-political, tech fuzed mess

As Good As It Gets

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

This continuation of the Musketeers saga from "The Three Musketeers"(73) brings back essentially all the characters (tho they never really left, as this was filmed at the same time) and piles up the intrigue. Plots combine with counter plots as the puppeteer Cardinal (Heston) sends his two emissaries of evil, Milady & Rochefort (Lee, good casting if ever there was), against the heroes, who defend the queen's honor. The Milady character (Dunaway) becomes the central focus of the story; she proves to be so dangerous that dashing D'Artagnan (York) barely escapes her deadly designs on a couple of occasions despite his abilities. The most startling revelation, for those unfamiliar with the story, involves a backstory for the morose Athos (Oliver Reed). Reed lends a pathos to the character of Athos, heh.Though this continues Director Lester's penchant for comical timing and near-slapstick action, the story itself has a more plot-driven narrative and, by necessity, more dramatic, even tragic, elements. This chapter, after all, concludes the tale in many ways, and, for some characters, it definitely ends on a somber note. There is a poignancy and flair to the proceedings missing from even the first chapter, but, as entertainment value, it's just a smidgen below the introductory previous film. You miss the sheer excitement and thrill of meeting all the characters; on the other hand, this is in many ways a bonus gift to all the fans of the first film, who need not imagine how their favorite characters would continue as in other favorite films which had no sequels. Since this was filmed at the same time, the film has none of the apparent weaknesses of the usual sequels.Many years later, in '89, most of the cast and the director returned for another sequel, "Return of the Musketeers." Some of the magic wasn't there, but it was interesting to see them all again, older and perhaps wiser. That film is not yet available on DVD, but was around on VHS and Laserdisc.

Athos, Porthos, Aramis and D'Artagnan are back; or more precisely, are still here; for the second half of the Dumas novel. As I'm sure most fans know, this was meant to be part of the complete Three Musketeers, before the Salkinds split it into two films. This led to much litigation and the creation of the "Salkind clause" in movie contracts.Spoliers-The film takes up where the first part left off; D'Artagnan and the Musketeers have saved the Queen from embarassment and confounded the evil Cardinal Richelieu. D'Artagnan is now a full fledged Musketeer (although, in the novel, he was still just a guardsman).Now the Cardinal hatches a new plot to persuade the Duke of Buckingham from joining the protestant Huguenot rebels at the city of La Rochelle. Milady is sent to persuade him to change his mind or kill him. Although Buckingham imprisons her, he underestimates the power of her charms. The Duke meets a tragic end and Milady returns to France to seek her revenge on D'Artagnan.Meanwhile, D'Artagnan rescues his mistress Constance and places her in safekeeping. He learns the true identity of Milady and the mystery behind Athos' melancholy.The Musketeers are sent to fight at La Rochelle and uncover the Cardinal's plot to kill Buckingham. Although the other Musketeers care little, D'Artagnan owes a debt to Buckingham and tries to stop the plot.D'Artagnan pays a terrible price for his efforts, but emerges as a lieutenant of the Musketeers. He has taken his place as the leader of the group, but will find little solace in his promotion.As with the first film, the performances are spot on. Everything is the same, as it was filmed at the same time. It is best viewed as a whole with the Three Musketeers.

I was forced to wait 6 months between watching "The Three Musketeers" and getting an opportunity to watch this "sequel" (shot at the same time) and it was agony, though I was somewhat afraid that the second one would not live up to its predecessor. I am glad to say that I was completely wrong and that this one more than lives up to its companion. The action is just as fast and the characters as endearing (because, as we learn, only Porthos could find "a new way to disarm himself" - and then make it work when it counted!) But comedy aside (such as our heroes eating breakfast in the middle of a battle), the serious turns that had to be taken in order to stay true to Dumas' novel were very well done also. Oliver Reed imparts his loathing for Milady DeWinter not only with his words, but also with the expression in his [gorgeous] eyes and when he holds her at gunpoint in order to get the Cardinal's warrant, several seconds go by in which you as a viewer actually believe that he will kill her right there in cold blood. In fact, Reed is, in my opinion, truly the star of this picture as his character of Athos attempts to mentor young D'Artangan and prevent him from being hurt. Michael York is, as usual, wide-eyed and very courageous and Finlay and Chamberlain continue to be terrific fops but it is Reed that carries them through. Kudos also have to go to Faye Dunaway as Milady - she is truly evil and charming at the same time and you can see how her character manages to be so good at what she does. I encourage everyone to see this movie - especially as a companion to "The Three Musketeer" - and support those in favor of having an edited-together three hour version. It is truly a classic. (And side note to my fellow students - if you don't have time to read the book "The Three Musketeers," rent these two movies and you'll get the gist of what you need to know.)

One of the opening scenes depicts the musketeers having a pic-nic in the middle of a battlefield and under fire for the sheer bravado of the act. This is taken straight from the novel and is one of my favorite scenes from Dumas. It shows the frivolous attitude that men at this time had towards the likelyhood of their death. The only chance of advancement, fortune and glory most younger sons had was to hang it all out and prove their worthiness in battle.Please note that this is the only Musketeer film that ever showed Athos, Aramis, D'Artagnan and Porthos exercising their trade as soldiers. These are not superheroes. They are men serving their country, caught up in politically charged situations.