The Three Musketeers (1993)

Nab the star-studded comedy-adventure that dazzled moviegoers everywhere! It's the action-packed tale of three loyal swordsmen (Charlie Sheen, Kiefer Sutherland, Oliver Platt) who are joined by an eager recruit (Chris O'Donnell) to protect the King of France. Together, the foursome battle enormous odds in their attempt to defeat an evil royal advisor (Tim Curry) and a seductive envoy (Rebecca De Mornay) plotting to overthrow France's crown -- fighting against both time and scores of enemies! You'll cheer out loud when these exciting muskeeteers face danger, fun, and adventure at every turn -- proving they are the greatest swashbucklers who ever lived!

Childish interpretation of immortal Dumas's novel

When I first saw this movie, I liked it. The Dumas's fans can object that this movie is not a screen version of his novel. And I will say - that's why it's good. If you show The Three Musketeers with dramatic end to the child, he will be upset. But Disney studio made this film precisely for children of 10-13 years old. Who minds a happy end? October 17, 2008

fun for all

I bought the DVD hoping it would be good but not really sure it could top the two movies about the musketeers made in the 70's. I was very pleased to find it is very enjoyable and look forward to watching it again and again. It is a delightful blend of humor, history and action with likeable characters and great music. The bonus of the song performed by Rod Stewart and Sting found in the DVD extras was unexpected and really great they sing beautifully together. October 15, 2008

Well, They Got The Names Right...

I'll do my best to make this review fair. It will be hard, because I dearly love the Musketeers novels, and this movie has very little in common with any of those.

As my title suggests, most of the names are spot-on accurate... but that's almost where the similarity between this film and its source material ends. A few bits are also retained, and some general characterizations (Athos drinks, etc.), but the actual plot events are completely done away with, as are the deeper portrayals of character. Richelieu is no longer the genius, subtle, behind-doors politician, but becomes Snidely Whiplash v.2.0. Constance Bonacieux loses her last name, her husband, her lines, her importance to the plot, and is thrown in as an afterthought. The Musketeers themselves lose a considerable amount of depth and vigor -- Oliver Platt is hardly the jolly giant that Porthos needs to be (instead presented as mostly a clown, here), and D'Artagnan himself becomes an unsteady, uncertain child instead of the fearless, reckless, arrogant and hot-tempered youth of the novel.

All of this said... the movie is... decent. It's fun enough, I suppose, to see guys sword fighting, spilling out one-liners in true 90s film fashion. Rebecca de Mornay is beautiful (and is an inspired casting decision, regardless of how they treated her character), Tim Curry plays Whiplashelieu to the hilt, and Kiefer Sutherland is an ideal Athos.

If a person comes to this movie with no knowledge of the novel, or is able to somehow forget it, they'll probably be entertained. It's still not *great* cinema, but that's understandable as it never aspired to be. It wanted to be a fun, popcorn-chomping romp, and at that, it does its job. Or, at least 3-Stars worth of it.

Still, I have to wonder a little bit. If you have a wonderful property to work with like Dumas' novel, the budget and the talent to pull it off in reasonable fashion, why would you completely throw out the story (and almost completely throw out the characters) that has made it so famous and so lasting, and replace it with a generic action script? The original is long and complicated, and I understand the difficulties inherent to condensing it to a 90 minute feature. Maybe this film played it safe, in offering up the usual Hollywood-fare. But playing it safe can only ever bring limited success, and whatever its box-office at the time, this film doesn't hold up that well a decade and a half later.

For those truly interested: read the book, instead. It is better in every way. July 30, 2008

Great Adventure

Great adventure movie for any age and a perfect introduction for anyone to the wonderful Alexandre Dumas. Stars galore, romance, death, sword fights, fist fights, wagon and horse chases, there's nothing this movie doesn't have! June 29, 2008

I love this movie!

I love this movie! We had it on VHS and tried to watch it, but the tape had worn out. We were really sad! I quickly hopped on the computer to look for it on DVD, and found it without problem at Amazon.com. I couldn't wait for it to come in the mail, we watched it that day. It is a good combination of drama, comedy, and action. It is child freindly, my whole family loves this movie. June 20, 2008

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