Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Cast: Matthew Macfadyen, Logan Lerman, Milla Jovovich, Ray Stevenson, Christoph Waltz, Orlando Bloom, Luke Evans, Juno Temple, Mads Mikkelsen, James Corden.
Running Time: 110 Minutes
Certificate: 12A
Synopsis: The hot-headed young D’Artagnan and three legendary but down-on-their-luck Musketeers must unite and defeat a beautiful double agent and her villainous employer from seizing the French throne and engulfing Europe in war.
Alexandre Dumas’ classic tale of THE THREE MUSKETEERS has gone through many incarnations over the decades. The first high-profile effort was the Douglas Fairbanks silent classic from 1921 and the last was the forgettable Charlie Sheen and Kiefer Sutherland feature from 1994 , most notable for a Rod Stewart, Bryan Adams and Sting musical collaboration. Along with those films there have been many sequels, prequels and spin-off’s, including a terrible 2001 film entitled THE MUSKETEER, which tried to implement THE MATRIX kung-fu style elements to the 17th century setting.
With several years having passed since the last feature film, someone has decided to dust off the cobwebs and give Paul W.S. Anderson a shot at directing the famous plot. So how does Anderson fair in converting one of literatures beloved all-time classics when he is more accustomed to transferring video-games like MORTAL KOMBAT and RESIDENT EVIL to the big-screen? Not bad as it happens.
Opening in Venice, Italy with an action set-piece that wouldn’t look out of place in one of his RESIDENT EVIL movies. Aramis (Luke Evans), Athos (Matthew Macfadyen) and Porthos (Ray Stevenson) along with Milla Jovovich’s Milady De Winter are on a mission to steal Leonardo DiVinci’s legendary plans for a flying ‘war machine’. Why? I have no idea but it’s a gaping plot-hole that is only used to explain Milla Jovovich’s character’s later intentions as well as set in motion the ridiculous action-packed finale. After Milady betrays her lover Athos and the other Musketeers, double-crossing them with the cackling villain Buckingham (Orlando Bloom), the skilled swordsmen head back to Paris with their tails between their legs.
The introduction to D’artagnan sees the young wannabe’s final sword lesson from his father before setting off for Paris to fulfil a dream to serve his country as a Musketeeer. The american accent of Logan Lerman (and more bizarrely Brit Dexter Fletcher as his father) is obvious but that never stopped us enjoying Kevin Costner’s turn in ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES.
The weakest link comes from the comedic elements, James Corden’s Planchet comes across as annoying running joke, while Logan Lerman is a tepid D’artagnan compared his spirited fellow actors. Milla Jovovich continues the work made famous for her husband (director Anderson) in his RESIDENT EVIL franchise – looking stunning whilst kicking butt. Matthew Macfadyen especially looks to be having the most fun; the British thespian is usually seen treading the boards or featuring in more serious acting projects.
The villains of the story, played by Christoph Waltz (Cardinal Richelieu) and Madds Mikkelsen (Rochefort) are great support. Orlando Bloom’s Duke of Buckingham goes the over-the-top route that actually works for his scheming character. Juno Temple and Freddie Fox deserve some credit also as the French King and Queen whose arranged marriage is a touch awkward with their playful scenes becoming a highlight whenever they are on screen.
THE THREE MUSKETEERS is arguably Paul W. S. Anderson’s most accomplished work to date even if he does rip up the classic story and rewrite it to his own unique style. The period setting looks fantastic with the help of the costumes and special effects work. Some sweeping camera shots working a treat to create the size and scale of it’s location. The plot is preposterous of course, the script only sticking to the major points of the source material. The actors seem to be having a ball and all play their part with enough conviction for you to enjoy the ride with an ending that hopes to continue the adventure even further.
THE THREE MUSKETEERS is released on the 12th October 2011.
