Review of The Avengers (1998) by Stuart K — 15 Jul 2009

And so another classic TV series, (British no less), becomes another Hollywood feature film. But, it was set to be an antidote to the recent release of Mission: Impossible (1996). It was going to be a fusion between 1960's style and 1990's technology, done with a surrealist day-glo action fantasia.

It was a huge flop, but it's misunderstood for all the wrong reasons, and it should be acclaimed for BEING different. It has John Steed (Ralph Fiennes), agent for The Ministry, teaming up with scientist Emma Peel (Uma Thurman) to try and stop evil megalomaniac Sir August De Wynter (Sean Connery), who has a weather changing machine, which he's blackmailing the government with, but it turns out Peel has an evil double and London is going to be hit with one hell of a storm.

True, Fiennes and Thurman are no Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg, and Connery hams up every scene he's in. But, it's an experimental summer blockbuster, which became a turkey, (it ruined the career of director Jeremiah Chechik), but it's production design is brilliant, and it's undeniably well made, despite it's flaws.

Plus, it's strong but odd supporting cast including Jim Broadbent, Fiona Shaw, Keeley Hawes, Roger Lloyd Pack, Shaun Ryder and Eddie Izzard help prop up the all-but fleeting film.