The 3 Musketeers

Logan Lerman, Luke Evans, Ray Stevenson and Matthew Macfadyen star within the Three Musketeers. A Summit Entertainment (in U.S.) discharge of a Summit Entertainment, Constantin Film presentation of the Constantin Film, Impact Pictures production in co-production with Nef Prods., New Legacy Film, Studio Babelsberg, using the support of Deutscher Filmfoerderfonds, Filmfernsehfonds Bayern, Bayerischer Bankenfonds, Filmfoerderungsanstalt, Medienboard Berlin Brandenburg. (Worldwide sales: Summit Entertainment, Santa Monica.) Created by Jeremy Bolt, Paul W. S. Anderson, Robert Kulzer. Executive producer, Martin Moszkowicz, Christine Rothe. Co-producers, Manuel Malle, Rory Gilmartin, Charlie Woebcken, Christoph Fisser. Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson. Script, Alex Litvak, Andrew Davies, in line with the novel by Alexandre Dumas.Athos - Matthew Macfadyen Milady p Winter - Milla Jovovich D'Artagnan - Logan Lerman Aramis - Luke Evans Porthos - Ray Stevenson Constance - Gabriella Wilde Duke of Buckingham - Orlando Blossom Rochefort - Mads Mikkelsen Richelieu - Christoph Waltz Louis - Freddie Fox Full - Juno Temple Planchet - James Corden Cagliostro - Til Schweiger D'Artagnan's Father - Dexter Fletcher D'Artagnan's Mother - Jane PerryWith its airborne CGI galleons, three dimensional format as well as an armed Milady who hides rappelling equipment beneath her corset, helmer Paul W. S. Anderson's version of "The 3 Musketeers" is an extremely 2011 undertake Alexandre Dumas' classic that feels strangely dated already. Although adequately entertaining because of lavish production values and game supporting perfs, this anodyne adaptation lacks a killer hook that will help it to mix to a demographic beyond action buffs and fans. Canny calendar positioning should help Summit's October release Stateside, however the pic will swash more buckle overseas, in which the title has more cachet. Already open in Germany, "Musketeers" screens Sept. 23 in the San Sebastian Film Festival. Much less sometime ago, it looked as if this American-German-French-British co-production could be 1 of 2 new three dimensional adaptations of "Three Musketeers" this season, alongside Warner Bros.' Doug Liman-helmed version. Regardless of the reasons that project was placed on hold, one can't help but question if there may have been well-founded doubts about how exactly well Dumas' 17th century-set tale of chivalry, camaraderie and courtly intrigue might be remixed for contempo auds without watering down it beyond all recognition. Indeed, the script here struggles to locate a balance between your sensibilities of Alex Litvak, most widely known for writing "Grayskull" and "Potential predators," and Andrew Davies, who built his repetition on tony literary adaptations for British TV for example "Pride and Prejudice" (1995) and "Little Dorrit" (2008). Finish product lacks Davies' signature verbal sparkle Davies, but additionally sags in the centre, the way in which a mainstream action film should not, if this bogs lower in most the company concerning the Queen's purloined necklace (ironically, the part nearest to Dumas' novel). The outlet sequence provides a typical illustration of what lengths beyond Dumas the filmmakers are prepared to go, because the Musketeers, soldiers within the employ of France's King Louis (Freddie Fox), are introduced on the secret pursuit to Venice to snatch plans attracted up by Leonardo Da Vinci to have an airship. Joining leader Athos (Matthew Macfadyen), enigmatic ex-priest Aramis (Luke Evans) and jovial muscleman Porthos (Ray Stevenson) about this mission is the one and only Milady p Winter herself (Milla Jovovich, Anderson's regular muse), not only a good looks along with a cunning mind, but additionally a dab hands having a sword along with a roundhouse kick. Regrettably, Milady betrays them, as she's privately in cahoots with Cardinal Richelieu (Christoph Waltz, good but somewhat lazily cast up to now another smooth villain). This leaves Athos particularly embittered when youthful, idealistic, Attacking Young Boys-haired upstart D'Artagnan (Logan Lerman) comes to Paris sometime later in the stays, keen to become Musketeer themself. Richard Lester's "Three Musketeers" (1973) and "Four Musketeers" (1974) made their very own significant departures in the books, as virtually every film version has, however they were built with a bawdy streak that's particularly missing within this very teen-skewed PG-13 version. Louis, for instance, is really a moon-faced kid essentially struggling with a crush by himself wife (Juno Temple, a delight as always), while D'Artagnan gives him brotherly dating advice. Orlando Blossom plays the Duke of Buckingham just like a rival jock from another school, sneering over Louis' out-of-fashion poor performers. To have an action film, there's a great deal of foppish discussion about clothes happening. But what glorious clothes they're. Pierre-Yves Gayraud's exquisitely detailed clothes steal scene after scene, particularly the women's gowns, all intricate silk brocades shot through with metallic threads and glinting like jewels. Glen MacPherson's digital lensing continues to be balanced in publish in a way to allow the electrical blues around the king's guards' uniforms pop just a little more intensely, particularly in the numerous vibrant, sunlit rooms (a mixture of Bavarian locations and sets at Berlin's Studio Babelsberg) used for that structure moments. Using three dimensional rather limits the fluidity from the action sequences, which needs to be Anderson's strong suit, however it does only favors for Paul Denham Austerberry's rococo production design.Camera (color, widescreen, HD, three dimensional), Glen MacPherson editor, Alexander Berner music, Paul Haslinger music administrators, Christoph Becker, Pia Hofmann production designer, Paul Denham Austerberry supervisory art director, Nigel Churcher, art company directors, David Scheunemann, Hucky Hornberger set decorator, Philippe Turlure costume designer, Pierre-Yves Gayraud seem (Dolby Digital), Roland Winke supervisory seem editor, Stefan Busch re-recording mixers, Michael Kranz, Andrew Stirk effects supervisor, Acid reflux Feuchter effects, Die Nefzers visual effects supervisor, Bennis Berardi visual effects, Mr. X fight choreographer, Nick Powell stunt planners, Powell, Volkhart Aficionado stereographer, John Harper line producer, Silvia Tollman assistant director, Jamie Christopher second unit director, Nick Powell second unit camera, Vern Nobles casting, Suzanne M. Cruz. Examined at Odeon West Finish, London, Sept. 21, 2011. (In San Sebastian Film Festival -- Velodrome.) MPAA Rating: PG-13. Running time: 110 MIN.(British dialogue) Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com