The Three Musketeers, Blu-ray 3D (2011/2012)

by | Mar 24, 2013 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews

The Three Musketeers, Blu-ray 3D (2011/2012)

Cast: Milla Jovovich, Christoph Waltz, Logan Lerman, Orlando Bloom
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Studio: Summit Entertainment 66121391 [3/13/12]
Video: 2.35:1 anamorphic/enhanced 1080p HD color 3D
(2 discs)
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1, DD 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Extras: Audio commentary by the filmmakers, Deleted scenes with commentary, Insider’s Look at The Three Musketeers—interviews, tracking the musketeers’ fighting styles (21 min.), more…
Length: 110 minutes
Rating: ****

Dumas’ classic story about The Three Musketeers has been used for a number of films in the past. This one doesn’t seem to have much concern for either plot or characters, but it’s fun anyway due to the truly exceptional 3D, Christoph Waltz doing his wonderful thing as Cardinal Richelieu (almost as good as in Django Unchained), and the amazing hot-air-balloon war machines built using plans stolen from Leonardo da Vinci’s highly secure vault. The director has done other 3D films—Resident Evil, etc.—and has learned how to make 3D really work for him.

The underlying basis remains: The three musketeers are Athos, Aramis and Porthos, but they have been retired and sit around drinking and getting into trouble because the Cardinal’s forces are running Paris and they are no longer needed by France. King Louis is childlike and lets the Cardinal run the country. However, young stripling D’Artagnan comes on the scene and stirs things up a lot. He quickly becomes part of the musketeeers and they fight together to solve a plot by Richelieu, double-crossing spy Milady, and the Duke of Buckingham (England’s ruler) that threatens to send all Europe into war. Of course there’s plenty of swordplay.

The costuming is gorgeous, the use of miniatures and models is unique and fascinating, and the whole thing jumps around from action to drama to slapstick to absurdities. Jovovich jumps around a lot too, wearing her period gowns (and sometimes quite a bit less) and flinging her sword with great swashbuckle. The air battle of the two floating ships is something to see in 3D.  It’s sort of like a wild pirate movie without pirates, which is just right for me. And being set in France in the period helps the whole environment of the film.

—John Sunier

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