Wonderful Movie

Thanks for the memories!

Better Late Then Never

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

I wonder who gives the right to any writers, directors, producers, or whatever to make an ass out of one of the ever most beloved classic novels? What do they want to show/do destroying the beautiful original by inserting airships and much other modern nonsense, they do not fit in? The famous and by many generations beloved novel by Alexandre Dumas pere, presented in a new unacceptable way, that makes it laughably unrecognizable.My vote 2/10.

At this point, it is almost difficult to count how many renditions of Alexandre Dumas's classic novel 'The Three Musketeers' Hollywood has spawned, with the last being a Disney adaptation back in the mid 1990s. Regardless, director Paul W. S. Anderson, notable for the the video game-inspired franchise 'Resident Evil', has strikes the silver screen with yet another adaptation of the classic source material. Boasting dazzling visuals and a somewhat stellar cast, this interpretation of Dumas's tale had open doors to for an entertaining, if not exhilarating family experience. But does it this movie hit that mark? Sadly not. Anderson's rendition of the classic story is too often flustered with over-the-top cartoonish style and is preyed upon by a spiritless script by Andrew Davis and Alex Vitvak. In the simplest of words, it's not much fun. So what is the story? The film follows three elite musketeers: Athos (played by Matthew MacFayden), Porthos (played by Ray Stevenson), and Aramis (played by Luke Evans), who have washed up from their formerly famed lives and are living an experience of utter monotony. When a young swordsman D'Artagan (played by Logan Lerman) sets out to Paris to join the elite team, the three musketeers find themselves facing the betrayal Milady De Winter (played by Milla Jovovich) who along with Duke of Buckingham (played by Orlando Bloom), becomes the accomplice of Cardinal Richelieu's (played by Christoph Waltz) to wage war on the French monarchy and steal the throne. So the elite swordsmen must band together to foil his diabolical plan.What does Paul W.S. Anderson have to offer for this extravagant swashbuckling adventure? It all starts with a solid introduction of the characters and setting up the mischievous Richelieu's convoluted plan to take over France and destroy our three main heroes as we know them. The production design of Renaissance-era France is nice to look at, employing a sweet Disney-esque visual imagery. But it is only a matter of time before the film gets increasingly dull before it even reaches its halfway point. While our heroes are somewhat likable, none of them particularly interesting in any way nor is the antagonist Cardinal Richelieu. And it certainly doesn't help when the half of these characters are tarnished with overly cartoonish performances that range between average to laughably over-the-top. The same should definitely be mentioned about the dialogue. Above all, these are not to say that Anderson doesn't open doors to a little excitement during the second half. Easily the film's highest point arrives during a floating boat battle sequences which mixes a few clock-punk elements and plenty of Michael Bay-style action-set pieces. And maybe I should not forget the final sword battle between Logan Lerman and Mads Mikkelson. The action can be fun, but only when it is not filmed in an out-of-place way that echoes the bullet-time sequences from the 'Resident Evil' movies (especially for a movie set during the Renaissance Age). Aside from these, the excitement falls pretty short.The Three Musketeers is a schlocky adaptation of Alexandre Dumas's classic story, with a soulless script and performances that simply don't mesh. Although the visuals and action sequences serve as small redeeming qualities, they can't save this movie from plunging into the realm of spiritless disappointment. Those who seek for a charming cinematic rendition of Dumas's source material are probably best looking elsewhere.

In some ways this film can be seen as being enjoyable in a tongue-in-cheek, goofy, 'not to be taken seriously' type way, but it's the wait that's involved in getting there that is likely to be a make or break aspect for the audience....I must admit that I'm not overly-familiar with the source material here so wasn't really sure what to expect; however I was slightly disappointed with the actual structure of this film. Here, we have a first half which seemed to have very little going on and seemed to exist only as a long-winded way of introducing D'Artagnan. There are some amusing moments to be found in this set-up, but for me it felt that there was far too much unnecessary padding to what is essentially a fairly simple story.Given that it was slow in building itself up I hoped that my patience would be rewarded by some fantastic swashbuckling action and impressive fight sequences and once again I left feeling slightly disappointed. True, there are some fight sequences and some swashbuckling, but not enough - maybe my expectations were too high, but I just found that the film was rather weak as both an action film and as a story. I also thought that the ending was rather poor as well.Thankfully the film does benefit from strong camaraderie between the principal cast and this does help to carry the film through some of the duller moments and makes it feel slightly better than it should be - as D'Artagnan Lerman brings a sort of cheeky charm to the film and also brings some much needed fun. The likes of MacFadyen, Stevenson and Evans also work their roles well too and all 4 of these players are what really hold this film together.My thoughts on this version of The Three Musketeers is that it was entertaining in spots with the principal cast making it quite fun to watch at times. However, I thought it was a little on the slow side and also thought it would be more action-packed. For those reasons I found it a little disappointing overall.

The Three Musketeers (2011): Dir: Paul W.S. Anderson / Cast: Logan Lerman, Milla Jovovich, Orlando Bloom, Christoph Waltz, Gabriella Wilde: A surprisingly entertaining version of a story that has been exhausted through many terrible releases. Director Paul W.S. Anderson has made many stupid films such as Soldier and Event Horizon but here he presents the famed characters as a token of grand entertainment. Problem is that the title fails since there seems to be four or five Musketeers here as oppose to the usual. Lerman Logan is the young new edition whose father was a Musketeer and he seeks the same reputation. He gets his wish when several misunderstandings lead to a planned confrontation, which fuses into beating up several armed guards. They are arrested and end up on a quest involving airship blueprints and a stolen necklace. Logan fares well as the young Musketeer out to prove himself as well as place himself within the midst of danger and exhilarating sword action. Milla Jovovich steals scenes as a female who betrays the Musketeers after a theft. She is faced with an effective situation aboard an airship that seems too fatal until the closing scene. Orlando Bloom is good as villain Buckingham who outsmarts the Musketeers with Jovovich's betrayal but his defeat bears some humour. Gabriella Wilde plays Logan's romantic other who attempts to warn him of the odds against him. The screenplay is entertaining without being too action oriented, yet celebrating the special effects. Do not expect a provocative writing but do expect fun filled pointless entertainment. Score: 8 / 10