Review of The Avengers (1998) by Russell G — 20 Oct 2012

There are a lot of problems here, where to begin... For a movie that is supposed to be primarily an action movie it forgot to bring the action. It is dull because the threat of the villain has such a small focus.

Sean Connery is barley in this movie. The villain could have been good and his plot to control the weather seems like a winner. Instead, they ruin everything by trying to do too much. Forcing an evil cloned Emma Peel, a boardroom of evil teddy bears, mechanical bees, and a random unexplained man of mystery (Eddie Izzard) were all painful mistakes.

All of these scenes should have been given to Connery to build his character and make a more coherent story. The movie wrongfully puts all of its chips on the playful banter between Steed and Mrs Peel.

This may have been the charm of the 60s TV show but it feels very forced and unnatural here. Ralph Fiennes was an alright Steed but Uma Therman was too cold and mechanical for her part. They just do not have the chemistry that was essential to make this work.

This fails in nearly every way and only takes away from the Avengers name.