Cardinal Richelieu (Stephen Rea), in his quest to become the premier power in France, disbands the king's musketeers and does his best to wipe them out, discretely, of course. One of the musketeers killed was D'Artagnan's (Justin Chambers) father and D'Artagnan vows to avenge his father's death and kill the man in black (Tim Roth). D'Artagnan grows up and begins his quest for vengeance by traveling to Paris and contacting the musketeers. Unfortunately, he fails his test and instead finds himself aiding the Queen (Catherine Deneuve) in a desperate attempt to avoid war with Great Britain. Along the way, D'Artagnan falls in love with Francesca bon Ansau (Mena Suvari) and gradually earns the respect of the musketeers.
Click here to see the rest of this review...
I quite enjoyed this version of the Three Musketeers, but I would have to agree with other reviewers in that it is not the best version that I have seen. The strength of this movie is the amazing fighting sequences. Whether it is a barroom brawl with the fighters dancing over barrels, an attempt to take over the Queen's coach that leaps from coach to horse to ground, or a winner take all fight on ropes and ladders, the fighting sequences are fresh, original and oftentimes, simply amazing. The costumes and scenery were gorgeous, with the director Peter Hymans' fabulous use of natural light to give the whole film a faded, sepia toned look that really suited the time period. The absolute worst part of the film was Justin Chambers, who, unfortunately played D'Artagnan and was in just about every scene. It is true that Justin, a ex-Calvin Klein model, is quite beautiful, at least he is without that ridiculous long hair that he sported in the film, and it it also true that he is quite athletic and did a fine job on his stunt work, but, sadly, he cannot act and he cannot speak French. This is a major problem in the film and drags the whole work down. With a decent actor in the lead role, this could have been a very memorable version of a classic.
The review of this Movie prepared by Debbie
Political intrigue and adventure fill this adaptation of Dumas' classic swashbuckling tale. The King's musketeers are disbanded, prompting a young man who seeks to join the prestigious outfit to join them in their quest to save the King of France from assassination by the evil Cardinal.
The review of this Movie prepared by Marcus Keller
Loosely based on Alexandre Dumas's novel, THE THREE MUSKETEERS is a Disney Production directed by Stephen Herek in 1993.
Chris -D'Artagnan- O'Donnell comes to Paris in order to join the well-known Musketeers whose charge is to protect the King of France. After a few hours in Paris, he learns that the Musketeers corps has just been dismembered by the Cardinal Richelieu who is secretly seeking an alliance with England's Duke of Buckingham in order to overthrow the young King Louis. D'Artagnan, after having met Athos, Porthos and Aramis, three musketeers who have refused to give up their status, is arrested and condemned to death. But, in prison, he's had the opportunity to witness a secret reunion between Richelieu and Rebecca -Milady DeWinter- De Mornay, Athos's former wife, who has become one of Richelieu's agents. Milady DeWinter must deliver to the Duke of Buckingham a secret treaty. D'Artagnan is saved by his friends and rides to Calais in order to arrest Milady. Just before dying, a redemptive Milady says to Athos that Richelieu is planning to assassinate King Louis on the birthday of the king. The Musketeers must arrive in Paris before it's too late.
Good adventure movie for teens. Not for Dumas's aficionados.
The review of this Movie prepared by Daniel Staebler
