The Three Musketeers (2011)

France in the 17^th century: after the assassination of the King his son, Louis the XIII has taken the throne. But the young and inexperienced King and his wife seem not to have a friend in the world and the wicked Cardinal Richelieu, who plans to spark a war between France and England, secretly challenges their rulership. There are only a handful of people who will serve their King and their country: the Musketeers. Athos, Porthos and Aramis are the last remaining Musketeers, but when the hot-headed young D’Artagnan joins their ranks, they are back in action after a mission gone wrong, and ready to deal out a good arse-kicking for their country. 

With the decadence and grandeur of Pirates of the Caribbean and the silliness and downright stupidness of A Knight’s Tale, The Three Musketeers is really a pointless and silly film, but one that cannot help but gain some pleasurable response from its audience. It really was like A Knight’s Tale as it was a fantastically stupid and an all-over-the-shop film, but one that was hugely entertaining. I really liked this movie for the simple reason that is a just a good, old-fashioned, decadent action romp. 

France in the 17^th century: after the assassination of the King his son, Louis the XIII, has taken the throne. But the young and inexperienced King and his wife seem not to have a friend in the world, at home or abroad, and the wicked Cardinal Richelieu, who plans to spark a war between France and England, secretly challenges their rulership and threatens to seize control of France. There are only a handful of people who will serve their King and their country: the Musketeers. Athos, Porthos, and Aramis are the last remaining Musketeers, but when young, hot-headed D’Artagnan joins their ranks, they are back in action, after a mission gone wrong, and ready to deal out a good arse-kicking for their country. 

Ultimately this film is nothing more than a 3D novelty: a real action-packed romp and a bit of good old-fashioned brain candy. I must admit that the costumes and special effects were exceptionally dazzling, really decadent and elegant but dangerous and not afraid to get their hands dirty at the same time. Well done to everyone involved in the special effects and costume design of this film! Fantastic work! 

Having said the praises of this film, it is now time to address the faults. The script was a bit all-over-the-place, very similar to A Knight’s Tale, the romantic story was loosely and haphazardly weaved into the film, and I found it highly amusing that everyone in the cast failed to put on a French accent given that the majority of the film is set in France. Although I have to admit that watching Orlando Bloom as one of the “villains” was hugely enjoyable. I have a real thing for Orlando Bloom; he was my first ever celebrity crush and no one ever forgets their first celebrity crush. I still find him hugely attractive. 

Starring Matthew MacFayden, Milla Jovovich, Luke Evans, Til Schweiger, Orlando Bloom, Logan Lerman, Mads Mikkelsen, Freddie Fox, Juno Temple, Gabrielle Wilde, James Corden and Christoph Waltz, The Three Musketeers is a fun romp that’s packed with action, decadent costumes, great special effects, brilliant sword fights, romance, comedy, political conspiracy, and more action. Not to mention a rather epic climactic battle sequence that takes place in an airship! We’ve had car chases, duels, and battles at sea, but an airship! Whoo, it’s pretty cool.