Review of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003) by Geoff T — 18 Jun 2012

Bah I'm surprised this gem was rated so low. It has to be one of my favorite "super hero" movies out there.

~Spoilers included.~.

There are few times when super hero movies can reach potentials outside of the realm of comic book fantasies and action-sequences that make us drool. I believe this movie is one of them. There are a few key points why I rate this movie much higher than the "critics" and why I believe it should be recognized as a solid super hero flick.

1. The cast:

Just looking at the cast you have to be slightly impressed. Like always Connery puts on a show that ends up carrying the bulk of the movie. Now I do not deny the fact that it feels stiff at times, that things feel forced, but the movie simply isn't as bad as the Connery show with a bunch of 19th century looks and high-tech toys. I was also quite impressed with the performance from Townsend as a young American. I did find it quite laughable the stereotypes playing off of the different countries (British characters are stuck up and pricks--Americans are loose cannons and bold-- French are arrogant ect.) My third pick for the casting part of the movie comes from our favorite little vampire with Wilson. Even though she is very limited which I did not like when she does interact and converse, the weight of the movie does seem to shit a bit. But overall the cast is really like-able and makes this movie all the more exciting.

2. The action:

Well from a "super hero" movie you tend to expect good action and I am certain that this does not let down. Some of the critics call it forced, or stiff, or dull but I think for 2003 looking at what was around this was fresh and new. We have almost sci-fi motifs blending with a very real world and it all feels very realistic which is hard for super hero movies to pull off successfully. I mean even after the first couple of scenes we are thrown right into the action. I guess I must have seen a different 'The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.'.

3. The story:

I feel in love with the story from the title, to the promo, to the cover-work, and the first scene. Sometimes movies just feel good and they reflect when they are up on the screen. The story line here is very creative, exciting, and I want to say in parts new uncharted territory. We have this group of "super people" who are brought together to fight an evil that is insisting on starting a war and yet the war is only the cover for the real motives behind the evil's plan. For being a very "flat" movie there are twists and turns that unless you wrote the movie or knew it was coming somehow, would surprise you even a bit.

I must insist that you watch the movie before judging it. I really enjoyed the movie and have seen it multiple times always knowing it would be fresh and revitalizing.

4 Extraordinary Stars out of 5!