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The Three Musketeers (2011)

Director: Paul WS Anderson

Time Out rating

Average user rating

8 reviews

Synopsis

'Reisdent Evil' director Anderson returns with this entirely necessary remake of Dumas's classic swashbuckler - in 3D!

Movie review

From Time Out London

Paul WS Anderson’s efficient digital re-working of Alexander Dumas’s tale of seventeenth-century heroism, romance and friendship is notable only for its introduction of Terry Gilliam-esque, airborne war machines based on designs by Leonardo da Vinci. However, while these flying galleons facilitate some eye-catching aerial battles, the rest of the swashbuckling action is strictly for groundlings.

Anderson’s acknowledged model was Richard Lester’s 1973 version, though he has opted to cast actors not stars. Logan Lerman and Orlando Bloom come across as neither. It is impossible to see how the insipid Lerman’s callow wannabe musketeer, D’Artagnan, could help restore the mojos of Matthew Macfadyen’s love-lorn Athos, Ray Stevenson’s larger-than-life Porthos and Luke Evans’s jaded Aramis. Bloom is cast against type as the dastardly Duke of Buckingham, but is acted off the screen by Milla Jovovich, whose Milady de Winter uses her feminine wiles and fighting skills to survive in a man’s world. Otherwise, it’s one for all and all for nowt.

Author: Nigel Floyd

Time Out London Issue 2147: 13 – 19 October 2011

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User reviews of this film

Tim said...

Posted on Oct 29 2011 18:36 It beggars belief that millions are spent on witless productions like this: musketeers who say 'D'y think I'm sexy', aristos who speak like Valley Girls, a villainous Richelieu who mutters in his Austrian accent and gurns weakly; unspeakable dialogue presumably aimed at a teenage market. What happened to films for grown-ups? Oliver Reed would be turning in his grave.

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Jim said...

Posted on Oct 22 2011 00:24 Everyone in the theater seemed to really like this movie. Lots of laughter and applause at the end. I agree with the 'just sit back and enjoy" attitude. I liked it better than anything else I've seen this summer.

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long cat said...

Posted on Oct 20 2011 13:32 An enjoyable silly adventure which makes cinema fun places to go. None of the characters take themselves too serious and there are some genuine good laughs in sections. The action is fun atypical swashbuckling style of old pirate movies. The villains?. Orlando Bloom looks the part but comical enough to enjoy his character.

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scrumpyjack said...

Posted on Oct 19 2011 21:45 The second worst film (after SCRE4M) iv'e seen at the cinema this year. 3/10

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robert said...

Posted on Oct 15 2011 18:26 Good fun. I agree with Ian, the 3D works really well here.

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bill said...

Posted on Oct 13 2011 07:44 leave your brain at home,just enjoy the swashbuckling,good family entertainment

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Ian said...

Posted on Oct 12 2011 22:59 Unlike the reviewer I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is the first 3D film in quite a while where you actually feel you are getting your money's worth for the extra cost of seeing a film whilst wearing 3D glasses.
It is more than just a bit far fetched and the fight scenes and some 3D effects are a bit staged. You will get to enjoy the slow mo fights and the styleised violence.
Without the 3D it would struggle to make 3 stars but with the 3D effects its worthy of 4.
On the downside the script is pretty standard fare, on the plus side there's lots of Milla Jovovich in a corset, stockings and heels.
Overall easy on the brain and easy on the eye. A harmless and enoyable two hours.

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Kathy said...

Posted on Oct 11 2011 17:07 So you didn't have any fun then, Nigel?

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