Few stories have been adapted as many times as ‘The Three Musketeers’. The novel written by Alexandre Dumas It has been brought to the screen dozens of times, but that does not prevent it from returning to it from time to time. Now he is the French director martin bourboulon the one who has tried his luck with what is probably the most ambitious film version to date.
Divided into two installments -the second has already been filmed, so there is no danger of being left halfway-, this Friday, April 14, ‘The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan’, one of the biggest European blockbusters, arrives in Spanish cinemas of the last years. In addition, this strong investment is perceived at all times on the screen to shape a perfect movie for any old-fashioned adventure movie lover.
Renovation done by others
The first thing that becomes clear when watching ‘The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan’ is that there is no kind of spirit of renewal here with the idea that it would be easier to connect with the new generations of viewers. This was already tried not so much by filmmakers as by Peter Hyams either Paul W. S. Anderson, and it cannot be said that the public reacted with too much enthusiasm. Here the opposite happens, it returns so much to its roots that it even affects the French component of the story much more than usual.
This leads to that touch of palace intrigue that can work both with the most veteran viewers and those who were delighted with that facet of ‘Game of Thrones’. Of course, do not expect many more points in common with the successful HBO series, because here an adventure with a classic spirit is proposed that requires a certain predisposition of the viewer to assume certain turns of the story and that, In general, it is quite faithful to the original book.
All this does not mean that ‘The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan’ gives up an agile pace, essential for its two hours of footage to fly by and leave you wanting to see the sequel right now. One of its main merits is precisely how it succeeds on that side and at the same time manages to define all its main characters quite correctly. There, the only thing that may be missing is a greater presence of the most despicable side of Cardinal Richelieu played by Eric Ruffbut in exchange the Milady of eva green It is fascinating, largely due to the excellent work of the actress to highlight her magnetic evil.
Everything shines and contributes
Obviously, an important part of the budget has gone to achieve a cast with many faces known to a greater or lesser extent by the public, but there is also a stimulating concern that the world that surrounds the characters be credible, thus facilitating the immersion of the spectator in the story. This display of media also looks great on the big screen, both when the director martin bourboulon he opts for a more classic and restrained approach, such as when he lets loose a bit to enhance the most spectacular facet of the film.
That balance in the visual is also decisive for him to find a midpoint that prevents him from balancing all the ingredients of a story like the one he tells. In fact, Bourbon makes the film always feel fresh and contagious, perhaps finding its best ally in Francois Civil like d’Artagnan. It was especially important to get it right there and Civil nailed it by showing that curious mixture of daring, nobility and innocence that characterizes this young Gascon.
From there also arises that slightly more cheeky tone, ideal so that your luxury hobby component is never left aside. Of course you are going to find great fights here that will delight lovers of swordsman stories, but Bourboulon knows that he cannot entrust everything to that and plays with the contrast between the hope represented by D’Artagnan and the musketeers and the darkness. that lurks over France and threatens a possible civil war.
To this we must then add other incentives like the rest of the cast, making it curious that vincent cassell be it the musketeer with the least presence but also the one that shines the most, or that French touch that I alluded to before. It is striking that the vast majority of adaptations of ‘The Three Musketeers’ have marginalized his presence, and that is something that shines here but without those responsible feeling the need to underline it more than necessary.
So is it worth watching or not?
In the end it is true that ‘The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan’ does not offer anything particularly new, but what is really important is to do it with care and talent, and this film is full of that. Also, good adventure movies aren’t so abundant lately -although we have another great title in this genre right on the billboard-, so I hope it achieves the success it deserves. Of course, highly recommended.
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