THE THREE MUSKETEERS: MY REVIEW
By Patricia.
I first picked up the Alexandre Dumas classic when I started college, after putting up with my father’s pestering for years, telling me I should read it, it’s such a great book. But the sheer volume of it intimidated me to no end and after a few attempts to get into the story failed I put it aside for the nth time.
Finally one day, probably out of boredom, I decided to concentrate and read it. The initial part, I must say didn’t ‘grab’ me, it took a lot of effort to get into it, but once D’Artagnan arrives in Paris everything changed and I could not put it down!
Fast forward to 2010, when I heard that a 3D version of the Musketeers was being planned and no other than my favorite British actor, Matthew Macfadyen was playing my very favorite of the musketeers, Athos. Although, initial reports had him playing Aramis, that wouldn’t have worked, he is the perfect Athos.
I will start with the not so good. I am disappointed that Paul W.S. Anderson decided to leave out a very main character, Monsieur de Treville, the very wise and fatherly captain of the musketeers. The story is just not the same without him, the classic tale of the first meeting between D’Artagnan (Logan Lerman) and the three musketeers Athos, Porthos (Ray Stevenson) and Aramis (Luke Evans) is what sets the rest of the story.
I also disliked the fact that they put too much emphasis on Milady de Winter (Milla Jovovich), in the novel she is an important character, but not so important. Obviously, the fact that Milla is director Anderson’s wife weighs heavily. But in all I thought she got too much screen time.
When I first heard the words air ships, I thought, oh no! This is going to be a disaster. I must say, as far fetched as it sounded it works in this setting. I think Anderson said in an interview during the London press tour that it needed to be a 21st century version. Well, he shocked me, that’s for sure.
As far as the musketeers, Matthew Macfadyen doesn’t disappoint as Athos, he has that mysterious, haunted personality going for him and he is very refined at the same time, looks regal, which the character was supposed to be. The Count de la Fere was of noble lineage. He also displays a natural talent for sword fighting, very agile and elegant as well as being the undisputed leader of the group.
Luke Evans as Aramis is perfect in my opinion, he has that stylish air about him and mysterious as well. A cat-like swashbuckler, Luke could have much more screen time in my opinion, he is so talented and has a lovely voice. I also missed the part on him being confused with the Duque of Buckingham (Orlando Bloom), the actors do look alike. My favorite Luke scene, the parking ticket to D’Artagnan for not picking up the horse’s poop!
Now, Ray Stevenson as Porthos is the lovable, vain musketeer, who I love for different reasons. He is the funny one, the one that makes everyone laugh when the going gets tough. Ray Stevenson is great as Porthos. Very brute like in his fighting, he minces no words and is very flashy.
The funniest scenes were the ones that included Freddie Fox as the King acting like a complete spoiled brat, which is how I imagined him to be, but with his heart in the right place and of course all the scenes with James Corden. The sleeping in the terrace is very funny and elicited chuckles from the viewers as well as the constant shutting him down by the musketeers.
Logan Lerman as D’Artagnan did a good job as the fearless youth come to become a musketeer. I liked how he is the actual age of the character in the novel, and the others do seem much older, fatherly or brotherly if you like.
I wish Paul Anderson would have spent more time exploring the relationship and personalities of the musketeers, that is the richness in the novel, all their background stories, Athos’ heartbreak, Aramis’ dilemma and Porthos’ extravagance but good heart. Some of it comes through thanks to the brilliant actors portraying the trio, but quite a lot is also lost.
Of course Christoph Waltz as Richelieu and Mads Mikelsen as Rochefort are brilliant in their roles as baddies. Orlando Bloom is good as Buckingham, who was also a disappointment in regards to the original character, who is not really a ‘bad guy’, more misguided and arrogant than anything, in love with a married woman, who happens to be the Queen of England.
In general, I thought these musketeers are perfectly cast and now I can not think of any others playing their respective roles, I believe the boys talked about that in their press tour. They’re absolutely right.
The visual scenery is magnificent! It was very nice to see all those locations come to life, after following this movie all throughout the production process and looking at numerous stills during the last year.
I would definitely recommend this as a fun family movie, maybe with the exception of the last fight between D’Artagnan and Rochefort, where there is a little blood, but I appreciate the fact that they keep it clean in that regard, the fights are violent enough. Also, I though the scantily dressed Milady wasn’t necessary.
Clearly there is a hint of a sequel at the end of the movie and I, as a fan of all these wonderful actors, very much hope to see.
All for One and One for All!
