D’Artagnan (Chris O’ Donnell) is a young man whose father was one of musketeers protecting the king. Now he wants the honor of being a musketeer is well. Trying to shake off an idiotic guy and his brothers at his tail, D’Artagnan sets out to join the musketeers. What he doesn’t know is that the cardinal (Tim Curry) and his right arm Rochefort (Michael Wincott) have let all of them go as a war with England is approaching and they are all needed in the field to fight for France. Of course in reality, what the cardinal and Rochefort just intend to get rid of the king easily so that cardinal can take his place. What better way to leave the king unprotected? Of course not all Musketeers are that easily persuaded. The famous trio of Porthos (Oliver Platt), Athos (Kiefer Sutherland) and Aramis (Charlie Sheen) will do what it takes it protect the king, even if it means they are declared outlaws. When D’Artagnan finally gets to his destination, he finds the musketeers gone and he doesn’t start off on good terms with the trio. But common purpose brings them together and a marvelously entertaining journey of love, friendship, comedy and adventure gets a kick start. Mind you, the movie gives us plenty of action and comedy from the very start, even before the trio becomes a quadruplet.
Now, I didn’t read the book. So I have no way of comparing the two. But I saw the movie and I loved it. It is one of the best period movies I have seen: It is a lot of fun with lots of action, comedy and just the necessary touch of romance. The setting and costumes look really good and all that sword-fighting and horse-back chasing show us a good time. Of course the fighting and chasing includes comedy as well as action. The musketeers all have distinct characters that make you either smile, grin or laugh.
The Musketeers
Porthos (Platt) loves a good time with drinks, women and fighting. He also has a good sense of humor.
Aramis (Sheen): He is a little religious- he does pray after the people who he kills. As Athos puts it: “Aramis takes that very seriously”. But religion doesn’t stand in his way when he wants to kick some serious butt, seduce women and/or get laid.
Athos (Sutherland): Athos comes with a complicated past. Although he loves a good laugh, duels and butt-kicking, he is emotionally scarred. And this scar adds a nice little touch and complication to the movie.
The Women
You might recognize the young queen (Gabrielle Anwar) from Things to do in Denver When You are dead (where the leading role was Andy Garcia’s) and For Love or Money (where she starred with Michael J. Fox). Julie Delpy is best remembered for her role as Celine in the lovely Before Sunrise and its sequel Before Sunset. They are both beautiful and although Gabrielle has a little more screen time, the girls are not seen that often. I had to pick, I’d have loved to play Rebecca De Mornay’s character Countess D’ Winter. After all as her character puts it, “she is dangerous”. De Mornay is a beautiful actress who was especially popular in the 90s. She definitely doesn’t mind playing the villain either. You might recall her thrillers The Hand That Rocks The Cradle or Never Talk to Strangers.
The Baddies
English Tim Curry makes a good villain and well, he is never boring. His most famous movie is probably the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He didn’t exactly play a sweetheart in 2001’s Attila either. But of course if there is a guy who competes with Kevin Bacon in the number of playing villains, it is Michael Wincott. I would probably be shocked to see him playing nice. Do you remember what he was up to in The Crow? Or Robin Hood: The Prince of Thieves? Strange Days? Seraphim Falls? Exactly.
So we have a great cast in a lovely period film with just the right ingredients. It is fun to see all these actors when they are so young. After all, it was 1993. And if you grow up in the 90s- I did- you might get the nostalgia you need.
Directed by Stephen Herek. Based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas père and written for the
screen by David Loughery. Rated 6.1 on IMDB by over 16,600 votes. Well, it might be a 6-7 movie but speaking in the entertainment level, it is a 10. Even the soundtrack rocks. After all the theme song All for Love is a duet performed by rocker musketeers: Bryan Adams, Sting and Rod Stewart.
Some Favorite Quotes/Moments:
Athos: (sees the cardinal’s men approaching) Only a fool will try to arrest us twice in one day.
Cardinal’s man: You are under arrest.
Aramis: Fool.
*********************
(Athos gets the brandy from Porthos for distraction. )
Porthos: What a waste!
**********************
One of the cardinal’s men says that they will arrest them but it will be peacefull if they won’t resist.
Porthos: Oh, don’t be so stupid. Of course we intend to resist! Give us a moment, alright?
On Chris O’Donnell: