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The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003) |
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OVERVIEW
- Based
(very loosely) on
the graphic comic book miniseries, the story is set in England during
Victorian times. The League is a group of superhero-like characters culled
from famous works of literature — including Allan Quatermain (Sean
Connery), Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde (Jason Flemyng), and Captain Nemo (Naseeruddin
Shah) — who join forces to thwart an evildoer's plan for igniting wars
between nations and achieving world domination. Starring Sean Connery, Naseeruddin Shah, Peta Wilson, Tony Curran, Shane West, Stuart Townsend, David Hemmings, Max Ryan, Richard Roxburgh, Jason Flemyng, Tom Goodman-Hill Director(s) Stephen Norrington Screenwriter(s) James Dale Robinson Studio 20th Century Fox |
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Reminding you uncomfortably
of "Wild Wild West," (which was crap!) a modern action-adventure
set firmly in the 19th century, "The League of Extraordinary
Gentlemen" assembles fictional people of the Victorian era for an
over-the-top visual-effects extravaganza. Star and executive producer Sean Connery is on hand to anchor the 1899 comic-book exploits with his formidable presence. Yet nothing stays still in this lighter-than-air story as it wanders off somewhere under the direction of Stephen Norrington ("Blade") (which was crap, too!) into an FX stratosphere where wit, character and vigorous storytelling cease to matter. I tried to like this movie, and I love pretty much anything with the legendary Sean Connery, but I was pretty disappointed by the end of it. If felt like I had been drinking alcohol free whisky for two hours, but no-one had told me! Anyway, moving on... the gimmick here, courtesy of comic books by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill, is to bring together an assortment of late-19th century fictional characters, the common denominator apparently being that they all have outlived copyright protection. So in the year 1899, Sean Connery's legendary British adventurer Allan Quatermain is summoned from his gin-sodden slumber in sleepy Africa by Her Majesty's government to defend the realm and Western world against an evil and mysterious Fantom. He is to recruit and lead a 'League of Extraordinary Gentlemen' (which includes no gentlemen and one questionable lady). These are: Captain Nemo (Naseeruddin Shah), seen here as a Kali-worshipping Indian sea pirate outfitted with a ridiculous paste-on rabbi's beard; Mina Harker (Peta Wilson), wife to Dracula's discoverer, poor Jonathan Harker, now herself a full-fledged vampire; the totally silly Invisible Man's successor, Rodney Skinner (Tony Curran), seen only when he dons clothes or smears his face with makeup; the immortal double bill of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Jason Flemyng), where Mr. H. is deemed a creature not unlike the Hulk -- just not green; American secret agent Tom Sawyer (Shane West), who bears no resemblance to Mark Twain's character what-so-ever; and finally and most improbably, Dorian Gray (Stuart Townsend), Oscar Wilde's vile yet ageless wanker. (Do the filmmakers really believe the under-25 crowd knows the works of Wilde? Heh heh!) The plot, an elusive thing constructed by James Dale Robinson, initially sends this gang of eccentrics off to Venice in Nemo's Nautilus submarine to save the city from destruction. For all their prowess, an hour into the film, Venice lies in ruins. (Question to the director: Why destroy St. Mark's Square in 1899 with Hollywood special effects when we know it still stands in 2003?) The remainder of the movie gets spent in the frozen wastes of Mongolia, where weapons of mass destruction are being manufactured by the Fantom. (George W. Bush, take note!) It is here that the movie gives up any pretence of humanity and gives itself entirely to the FX wizards at the expense of every conceivable reason to ever make a film in the first place! The movie self-destructs before your eyes. If you are willing to buy a pre-Model T limousine in 1899 London, then this is your film. If lines like "You're missing a picture, Mr. Gray" (vomit sounds!) seem the height of wit, then go for it. If having a multitude of celebrity creatures but not enough time to let them strut their stuff sounds like good planning, then by all means celebrate. Most viewers, I suspect though, may be discouraged at the empty stunts and effects, accompanied by a noisy, full-bore score, while good actors get lost in the chaos. That an actor executive of the status of 007 produced such a film is a sad commentary on where we stand in early-21st century filmmaking. An overwhelming disappointment, except for the massive submarine! Don't bother. | |||
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| Clubhouse Clint's movie review archives... | |||
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About me... Hi, I'm Clint, and I have been asked to do a movie review column for AsiantTS.com, or more specifically the magazine that accompanies it: The Clubhouse. I am a writer based in Asia and Europe, and I have been widely published worldwide. I enjoy watching movies, and have written at length on this genre for many years. | |||
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| Email the stogie at [email protected] | |||
