Rainey Dawn
To change the story that Alexander Dumas wrote somewhat is fine to me as long as it is not completely butchered. Only a silly dumb comedy is the exception that I can tolerate. But to throw in martial arts into the story leads to a butchered disaster.The only perk to this film is that the swashbuckling scenes are choreographed well plus the costumes and sets are nice. The acting is mediocre at best. Other than those things - the film is pretty much awful.I will admit that I was thinking this film was another film and when I got to watching it and reading comments on it I then recalled seeing this version of The Musketeers before... I then fast-forwarded the film to watch. It's pretty bad.4/10
ThatMOVIENut
I doubt I need to explain the plot. It's Three Musketeers, nuff said. However this time, it has action choreographed by Hong Kong master Xin Xin Xiong (martials arts buffs among you may recognize the name).Neat production values and some interesting kung-fu/swashbuckling set pieces, like sword duels on the side of a tower or across ladders, aside, this is a really dull, lackluster version of the classic adventure (at least W.S' mess had some steampunk thrown in, and even Disney gave us the forever badass Michael Wincott and a rather amusing Oliver Platt). OH BOY, OH BOY, where to start? Well, the performances are flat-as- shot-tires all around, with the normally terrific Stephen Rea as a seemingly always monotone Richeleu being especially inexcusable. Mix that with thin characters that aren't engaging or lively in the slightest, and a plot that oversimplifies the story absurdly to focus solely on D'Artagnan, making the other Musketeers almost redundant, as well as even more lifeless (the witty repartee and banter, as well as 'All for One' friendship that almost every other version has? Completely Absent). And as if this cake needed more icing, the utterly generic score from the otherwise talented David Arnold (Stargate, Sherlock) that doesn't do much adrenaline pumping, nor has any real whimsy or levity to it.In the end, this is the text-book definition of 'unnecessary'. The concept of swashbuckling + kung fu should make for, at least, good cheesy fun, but when that is the ONE and ONLY thing your movie has going for it, you have officially failed as a film maker.
Jeliosjelios
An adaptation of Alexandre Dumas's world, An action movie version made by an action team (Moshe Diamant (production), Peter Hyams, ... )This movie gives us, besides a certain originality of this adaptation, an umpteenth version, which falls very quickly in most easy screen writing "clichés". A story of revenge (murders of family members of the hero by the bad), Planchet a weapon master guide and finally just for serving as transition because once adult D'Artagnan, Planchet quickly found again his place as servant. Constance became Francesca?? Monsieur De Bonnacieux became a sewerman for facilitate the intrusion of companions in the palace, the queen wades through the sewers and plays a woman of the people ... The poor drama is expected to highlight the action scenes.Like a good action film and screenplay of action, too longer and too many action scenes come easily are the culmination of history. The control of the action scenes is widely demonstrated.Shot in the southwest of France's natural settings are well highlighted.An interesting distribution with the pleasant and reassuring presence of Catherine Deneuve, Jean Pierre Castaldi a surprising and very fit for Planchet one of his best roles I've seen, and especially Tim Roth always a credible and more than convincing with a large presence for play the bad guy.Note the role of Tim Roth, Febre, the name is reminiscent of the Count of Fere also alias Athos, D'Artagnan offers something quite unusual: a adventure of the three musketeers without Milady. Because Febre is Rochefort and Ms De Winter together, with all its pure evil thing of Ms. De Winter.Another title would have been welcome, "a story of D'Artagnan and the musketeers". The story was modified just for the intrigues of the era are just used as the backdrop for an action film. This movie is well directed and entertaining.The goal is reached, but despite the entertainment, D'Artagnan is a film that can easily be omitted.jeliosjelios@hotmail.fr
thedeepravine
All movies must be considered within their context, and The Musketeer is one that would benefit enormously if viewers were to judge this film on its own merits. Given the tradition of wonderful Musketeer inspired films, this one has the best stunts and fight scenes I have ever seen. All of the sword fights are quite good, and some is absolutely brilliant. Furthermore, I challenge anyone to find a modern movie with better horse stunts.The acting in this film is not as bad as some reviewers make it out to be. Justin Chambers (of Grey's Anatomy) is capable in his role, and one would be remiss to simply dismiss either Stephen Rea or Tim Roth's performances as anything other than quite good. Even Mena Suvari is entertaining in this film.This film will never win any Academy Awards, but it is an entertaining film. If you happen to see it playing on cable or in your video store, give it a chance; you won't be disappointed.
AD
