The Three Musketeers (2011) Blu-ray review

Paul W.S. Anderson brings his “Resident Evil” experience — and star — to a modern, steampunk retelling of Alexandre Dumas’ “The Three Musketeers,” and while the results are uneven, the film does have its moments of joy.

Anderson’s never going to be a critical favorite, and this is true even for his foray into a classic literature adaptation. The film reminds one primarily of a film like “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,” which also mashed up genre pieces and literary characters and was roundly dismissed by critics.

Milla Jovovich, Anderson’s wife and the star of the “Resident Evil” films, is probably the best bit of adventure in the “Musketeers” remake, playing Milady de Winter. In this “Musketeers,” she’s a sword-fighting dervish of action. It’s not strictly literary canon, though it’s fun to watch.

The film goes for cannon over canon, as Anderson has added Miyazaki-esque airships and sky battles to his Dumas adaptation.

The Musketeers of the title are Athos (Matthew Macfadyen), Porthos (Ray Stevenson) and Aramis (Luke Evans). Following a failed mission, they’re disbanded by Cardinal Richelieu (Christoph Waltz).

When young swordsman D’Artagnan (Logan Lerman) wants to join the crew, they all run afoul of Richileu’s agent Rochefort (Mads Mikkelsen) and his men. Richelieu is secretly plotting against the king, and eventually it’s up to the Musketeers to suss out the plot and save the day.

The film visually owes something to “Pirates of the Caribbean,” from which it also borrowed co-star Orlando Bloom, here perhaps miscast as the villainous Buckingham. The film’s not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon for those seeking a B-movie; and it does improve on the 1993 version of “The Three Musketeers.” But the best adaptation of the Dumas story is still 1973′s “The Three Musketeers,” directed by Richard Lester, and its 1974 follow-up, “The Four Musketeers.”

The Blu-ray is a great technical presentation of the film that allows viewers to appreciate the slick visuals. The audio quality is also strong.

‘Three Musketeers’ On DVD Tuesday!

The Three Musketeers will soon be available on DVD and Blu-ray! The action packed adventure, which also stars Milla Jovovich, Luke Evans, and Logan Lerman, will arrive in stores on March 13.

THE BLU-RAY:
○PICTURE:
Summit’s 2.35:1/1080p/AVC-encoded transfer for The Three Musketeers is quite solid. The film was shot digitally and is subsequently without grain, but the image still appears very film-like. Detail is excellent and justly rewards the elaborate costumes and visual effects-assisted sets. Contrast is generally excellent, though highlights are a bit bright, and colors are bright and well saturated. Facial detail is excellent and close ups, and wide shots, while given every opportunity to display banding or compression noise, are razor sharp.

○SOUND:
The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack is as strong as it should be considering the recent production. Dialogue is crystal clear, effects are impressive and the score is rich and expansive. This mix is quite immersive, and the mid-air battles and castle sword fights allow the soundtrack to impress with hefty LFE response and active surrounds. Range is excellent, and clarity is as strong during intimate scenes as it is during action pieces. A Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 track is also included, as are English SDH and Spanish subtitles.

○PACKAGING AND EXTRAS:
This single-disc release comes in a Blu-ray eco-case that is wrapped in a slipcover. A separate Blu-ray 3D version is also available. Summit includes a wealth of bonus materials, the most impressive of which is an excellent picture-in-picture track.. Access: Three Musketeers (2:21:02) runs a good half-hour longer than the film thanks to several segments that pause the film to provide more detail. This is PIP track is well produced, with handsome menus and a helpful legend, and includes cast and crew interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, effects comparisons and interesting trivia. There is little time when something is not popping up on screen, and the track effectively covers the film’s production. Also includes are some a few featurettes, Paul W. S. Anderson’s Musketeers (2:29/HD), Orlando Bloom Takes on the Duke (1:59/HD), 17th Century Air Travel (2:20/HD) and Uncovering France in Germany (2:14/HD). The features conclude with a handful of deleted and extended scenes (14:18/HD) and BD-Live Access.

○FINAL THOUGHTS:
Did the world need another film adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’s The Three Musketeers? Perhaps not, but Paul W. S. Anderson’s take on the story is innocuous enough, with impressive visual effects, a quick pace and ample humor. The central trio lacks personality and their quest to stop a war between England and France is silly, but The Three Musketeers is entertaining while it lasts. Summit’s Blu-ray offers excellent picture and sound and an excellent picture-in-picture track. Rent It.

Source:dvdtalk

Win 1 of 3 The Three Musketeers DVDs

Entertainment One are delighted to announce the arrival of The Three Musketeers, which is exploding onto 3D Blu-ray, DVD, Download and On-Demand on February 27th and is available to pre-order now.

The action-packed 3D adventure boasts an all-star cast including Orlando Bloom (Pirates of the Caribbean), Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil), Matthew Macfadyen (Frost/Nixon) and Logan Lerman (Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief), and was directed by Paul W.S. Anderson (Resident Evil franchise).

The modern take on the legendary tale is bursting with electrifying special effects, striking feats of swordsmanship, and explosive action including a mind blowing air battle. As Porthos, Athos, Aramis and D’Artagnan fight to save the very future of Europe, this is The Three Musketeers as you’ve never seen before.

Movie buffs will love the two-disc Blu-ray containing the spectacular 3D version of the film shown at cinemas in addition to the standard 2D feature. And both the 3D Blu-ray and DVD come in stunning 3D lenticular packaging and include revealing special features, making this one release no collector will want to miss.

Source:film-news

The Three Musketeers will be released on DVD

The Three Musketeers will be released on DVD on March 13, 2012!

The Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray editions will include an exclusive bonus feature, Access: Three Musketeers, that offers trivia and information accessible during playback. Other bonus features include:

Deleted & Extended Scenes
Cast & Crew stories
17th Century Action
Audio Commentary with Director Paul W.S. Anderson

‘The Three Musketeers’ India release prior to US

‘The Three Musketeers’, a modern take on Alexandre Dumas’s novel, will release in India a week before the US.
The film is being brought in India by PVR Pictures. The movie is going to release in India on October 14 however in US the movie is releasing, a week later on October 21.

“India is a potential market ground for Hollywood movies, earlier there were Hollywood movies in Hindi or regional languages which used to gain in popularity, but now the growing Indian urbanized culture is actually rediscovering the magic of Hollywood movies. English movies have become the centre stage of the Indian urban cinema audience market,” said Kamal Gianchandani of PVR Pictures.

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‘Three Musketeers’ World Premiere!

Milla Jovovich looked more gorgeous than ever as she attended the Three Musketeers in 3D world premiere at Vue Westfield in London, England today (October 4).
Joined by husband Paul W.S. Anderson, the model-turned-actress brought a touch of old Hollywood glamour as she worked the red carpet ahead of the debut of her new steampunk-influenced reinterpretation of the novel of the same title by Alexandre Dumas.

Before her arrival, Milla tweeted: “One more interview and then it’s time to get ready 4 the “3 musketeers” premiere! Ooooh! I’m getting butterflies!!!”

Meanwhile, Milla says she is a glory hunter.
The 35-year-old claims she only ever risks her neck on movies if she absolutely sure the audience will realize it’s actually her and not a stunt double.

“The important thing about stunt sequences is that the audience gets to see your face while you’re doing them,” says Mila. “If we can shoot the sequence to see my face I’m gonna do the stunt myself, if there’s no way you can see my face because it’s so fast and rolling and moving, there’s no point in me doing it and potentially risking hurting myself. I love to do my own stunts so I do as much as I can on my own.”

Meanwhile, Mila admits she’s often tempted to leave it all behind and raise her daughter Ever, 3, somewhere far, far from Beverly Hills.

“I worry about Ever,” she says. “She’s the daughter of two successful people living in Beverly Hills: that’s gross. And that’s why at some point I want to take her to live in a village in Mongolia where we can help milk the yaks. Not that I’m ever going to be just a mum, because it’s not in my nature, and what’s the point of being with your kid 24 hours a day if you’re depressed, which I would be?”

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The Three Musketeers Premiere

Tuesday 4th october – Exclusive World Film Premiere at the Vue cinema, Westfield, London from 6pm. Guest List: LUKE EVANS, RAY STEVENSON, MATTHEW MCFADYEN, LOGAN LERMAN, MILLA JOVOVICH, ORLANDO BLOOM, FREDDIE FOX, GABRIELLA WILDE and director PAUL W.S.ANDERSON to walk the red carpet.

Ok guys! I gotta go! Starting my crazy 2nd press day! Thanks so much 4 your amazing tweets! Wish me luck on “3 musketeers”!!! Xo m

If you’ll be at the premiere of The Three Musketeers, send photos to your mail admin. thanks