Film Review: The Musketeer (2001)
With more than a century of screen adaptations of Alexandre Dumas’ popular swashbuckling novel The Three Muskteeres, it was certain that some of those adaptations would be significantly better than others. But it was also certain that some would be significantly worse. Disney’s 1993 version belonged to the latter category. Thankfully, only eight years later came another major production in form of The Muskeeter, film directed by Peter Hyams.
Script by Gene Quintano strays from literary source in terms of plot and some major character details, but basic setting is recognisable to the fans of Dumas’ work. Protagonist, played by Justin Chambers, is d’Artagnan, young 17th Century Frenchman who is bent on revenge against Febre (played by Tim Roth), cruel swordsman who has murdered his father. D’Artagnan comes to Paris where he befriends Athos (played by Jan-Gregory Kremp), Porthos (played by Steve Speirs) and Aramis (played by Nick Moran) – three members of Royal Musketeers, elite military unit recently disbanded by scheming Cardinal Richelieu (played by Stephen Rea), powerful political figure who wants to make King Louis XIII (played by Daniel Mesguich) a figurehead. Since Febre is Richelieu’s henchman, d’Artagnan will find common cause with musketeers in thwarting Cardinal’s plans. Situation will be complicated when he falls in love with Francesca Bonacieux (played by Mena Suvari), beautiful chambermaid in the inn he had stayed.
Quintano’s intervention in the plot - removal of certain characters like Milady De Winter, new villainous character of Febre, simplified political intrigue – was brought in order to streamline this version of The Three Musketeers into something more digestible to audience accustomed to MTV era blockbusters. It also allowed for Peter Hyams, one of the more versatile and experienced Hollywood directors, to concentrate on the action rather than complicated plot, with traditional swordplay being mixed with “cool” Eastern martial arts techniques in scenes choreographed by famous Hong Kong stunt coordinator Huang Yan Yan a.k.a. Xiong Xi Xin. The general result of this efforts is short, unremarkable but mostly satisfying period action film. Cast, which was partially chosen on their youthful looks like television star Justin Chambers or Mena Suvari, is solid. Tim Roth enjoys playing diabolically villainous Febre, while Stephen Rea plays quite complex and regal Richeliu, although far from the high standards set by Charlton Heston in Richard Lester’s celebrated 1973 version. French and Luxembourg locations are put to good use and most of action scenes work, although some defy common sense, like the one that suggests cavalry charge as the best way to capture fortified castle. The Musketeer, which had misfortune to be distributed to cinemas during 9/11, ended with less than enviable box office results and quickly sank to oblivion. Those who happen to watch it now will find that it might not have deserved such fate, at least not compared with 1993 Disney film.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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