Three Musketeers, The (2011)

Director: Paul WS Anderson

Starring: Logan Lerman, Matthew Macfadyen, Ray Stevenson, Christopher Waltz, Milla Jovovich

There have been many stabs at adapting Dumas' tale of swashbuckling and heriosm in 17th Century France through the years.  In fact, the earliest known instance of a film is from 1903 French cinema.  There have been serious takes, and comic takes. The most popular take has been the fondly remembered Richard Lester film from the early 70s, which starred Michael York and Oliver Reed, amongst many other names.  The film was enough of a success to spawn a sequel, and then a couple of decades later a 'return' (which a shadow fell over through the death of Roy Kinnear whilst filming).  These films were comical in nature, with a very British farcical and bawdry humour, often delving into double-entendre territory.  To this day they are a regular feature on TV, and still have the same degree of fun to watch as they did back then.

In the 90s Disney attempted to give the tale a fresh 'Young Guns-esque' take, casting Chris O'Donnell, Keifer Sutherland, Oliver Platt and Charlie Sheen in a version that not only took a few liberties with the story, but also changed Fench history completely.

Now, for a new decade and new generation, we have another take on the story.  This time fanboy-director Paul WS Anderson, who gave us such films as Mortal kombat, Resident Evil, Alien V Predator, and Death Race, takes the seat behind the camera - or should I say cameras, seeing as he utilisied the 3D technology that James Cameron pioneered - and fills the film with the style of action that he is most famous for.  If you are one of those people who sneers at all of his other films, then you may as well avoid this film and just do what so many critics have seemingly done - make your mind up that it is garbage before you even bother seeing it.  However, if in each of Anderson's films you have seen some element of skill, be it in the twisted horror of Event Horizon, the simple future imperfect nature of Soldier, or simply the skill of directing action in his recent films, then maybe, just maybe, Three Musketeers will come as a guilty pleasure.

The film boasts similarity in tone with the Lester films of the 70s, opting for pantomime villains, much moustache twirling, and witty banter between the characters.  Adding to the mix, Anderson amps up the action, meaning that the musketeers are now not only great swordsmen, but skilled spies and infiltrators.  Milady (played by Milla Jovovich) is a deadly assassin/thief for hire, whose acrobatic skills are called upon whenever Anderson wants to slow down a death trap for glorious 3D effect.  Throw in some Da Vinci inspired airships with flame thrower guns, and an ever excellent Christopher Waltz as Cardinal Richelieu, and the ingredients are present for a 2 hour feast of nonsense that does exactly what it sets out to do...entertain.

This is not a film to contemplate the dramatics of, nor is it one to analyse in detail.  It is simple visual spectacle, with a reasonable story to tie it together.  The cast seem to be having lots of fun in it, especially Orlando Bloom who chews up any scenery he is let loose on as Buckingham.  This fun carries over to the screen sufficiently enough for the audience to catch hold and enjoy.

Yes, if I wanted to put my snidey, critical head on I could shred this film to pieces.  But why would I want to do that?  The film doesn't try to be anything intelligent, nor does it claim to be a work of art.  It is what it is, simple fun that you could happily take your kids along to and enjoy.  It is a swashbuckling adventure with plenty of spectacle (indeed, more than the recent Pirates film had), and it showcases what 3D can do when used properly - especially when used to take in the sumptuous surrounding s and grand halls that serve as locations for the film. 

Colourful, entertaining, fun.  Plus, kudos to Anderson for managing to find an alternate method to do his trademark 'laser-beam-corridor-of-death' in the 17th century.  Ignore the nay-sayers who seems to have forgotten how to switch their brains off and enjoy a piece of nonsense once in a while, Three Musketeers is a fun film that doesn't outstay its welcome, and leaves you hoping for a sequel.