OK for kids 11+
Swashbuckler for tweens has tons of action but no heart.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' classic novel is packed with over-the-top action sequences of sword and musket battles, but there's no blood and most characters (save a few) escape fatal injury. The language is limited to "s--t," "damn," "bleeding," and "t-t" (those last two being British slang), and the sexuality includes corset-popping dresses, a few kisses, and some overt flirting. Although this is a classic tale, it's worth remembering that the Three Musketeers are courageous but flawed characters and that the moral of love above duty and country is a somewhat mixed message.
- Families can talk about the movie's violence and how it's portrayed. Is it casual and humorous or necessary and serious?
- How does this adaptation differ from previous adaptations of The Three Musketeers?
- Do you agree with Athos' advice to D'Artagnan to forget about king and country and save the woman he loves?
The good stuff
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Messages: The "all for one/one for all" message is a good lesson in unity and teamwork, and the Musketeers all look for a cause to take up as their fight.
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Role models: Athos encourages D'Artagnan to fight for love, but otherwise the Three Musketeers are brave but morally ambiguous figures. At one point Athos says he only believes in the coin and the sword. Aramis is a man of faith, and Porthos is a brawler who likes to drink and womanize.
What to watch for
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Violence: Lots of sword and musket fights leave a few characters dead, but there's no blood. One character looks like she's falling to her death; a villain is felled by a sword wound after a long duel; two flying ships battle with cannons and then switch to hand-to-hand combat between crew members.
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Sex: A few kisses and some heavy flirting, as well as some cleavage-popping period dresses.
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Language: Relatively infrequent language includes "s--t," "damn," "hell," "ass," "bleeding," "t-t," and "oh God" (as an exclamation).
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: The Musketeers drink often in their leisure time; Porthos, in particular, is a big drinker.
Fan Reviews provided by
3
Dueling dirigibles, really? by RandytheMovieFan
After being adapted to film more than a dozen times dating back to the silent era, did we need another movie of The Three Musketeers? Sure, why not, it's a rousing good time with plenty of nifty sword fighting, but this version definitely is spotty. It has a decent cast, although Orlando Bloom seems to have taken acting lessons from the Snidely Whiplash School of Villains. Milla Jovovich is beautiful as ever, but her scheming seductress is played more as a Mission Impossible character. The special effects are a mixed bag, with the ultimate action sequence involving aerial warfare between dirigibles creating more (unintended) laughs than thrills. It's no wonder this movie was released in the dead zone of mid-October when the competition is light and audience expectations are low.
4
the three musketeers by haber1
I enjoyed the movie...it was entertaining. There were some scenes that reminded me of other movies and the music was great. The special effects were fantastic. The actors did a great job with a script that wasn't so hot.
4
3 Musketeers+1 Fun Ride by Geena617
This movie was a lot of fun. I walked out of it feeling entertained. The actors seemed at ease with one another, taking on their characters well. The battle scenes were an enjoyable new twist. It's a movie that one could share with the family but probably not young children due to the violence in some scenes.
It was a updated look at an old story that never fails to be exciting and fun. It was not heavy overall, although there were serious moments, and was free of the mindless comedy found in some movies. It was smart fun. Go see it!
4
Entertaining by enunezjr4
This movie was fun and entertaining. They focused a little too much on Milla Jovovich's character but the movie is still very exciting and fun.
Don't go watch it if you want a serious action movie like 300 or the Matrix.
4
Suspend your disbelief for an hour and fifty minutes, relax and enjoy! by woday
For those naysayers regarding this movie I wonder just what they expected. The movie delivers what it promises; no more, no less. There was action aplenty and lavish sets. Some reviewers complained that the sets were too lavish, but I wonder whether any of them has ever visited Versaille. It WAS lavish, and intentionally so. If you want to escape for a couple of hours this is a pleasant way to do so. If you're expecting an Academy Award worthy screenplay you're probably in the wrong theater to begin with...
4
Almost by Movie_Fanatic666
What do you want when you see any of the Three Musketeers movies. You want action. You know "All for one and one for all." Four men against impossible odds. That is exactly what this movie gives, action. Action was fun and the humor was a little corny but enjoyable. My main complaint about the movie was Orlando Blooms part as the bad guy. He just does not pull off evil at all. Also although Milla Jovovich was stunning, she was overused and abused. But all was not lost with the four musketeers. Each one of them had a personality and life of their own and had good chemistry. Bottom line, good action and the Musketeers were great.
4
All for one. by Usatran
Let me say this, we enjoyed it. It was stupid mindless entertainment, but we enjoyed it. My wife and I are in our 60s, so we're old enough to remember some of the older, less cheeky versions of the theme. All things being it really was entertaining and fun. My favorite character was Cardinal Richelieu played by Christopher Waltz.
1
Really? by cpiercejr
Terrible, the absolute worst adaption of the Three Musketeers story, and I have seen them all. I will never go see another movie with checking out Rotten. Tomatoes.
4
Good Movie - 3 Muskateers + 1 by geodepe
I took my son and he loved it. They took an old story and did a great job with it. A cocky Dartanion joins the muskateers, finds love in the king's court, and protects the kingdom from the vicious collusion of the papal and British intents to cause a rift in the relationship between the King and Queen.
3
Goofy action adventure with lots of sword fighting by Lyndabd
This movie was entertaining and fun. It had almost nothing in common with the novel it was "based on" and rewrote history, so if you want an interpretation of the novel, skip it. If you enjoy a silly action/adventure movie this is an enjoyable break from reality.
The costumes in this film are beautiful and amazing.