Review of The Three Musketeers (1993) by Filipeneto — 14 Feb 2021

"The Three Musketeers" are one of the fiction books most adapted to cinema. This is another adaptation to add to the extensive list and, despite not being the best, it is one of the best that has been made in recent years (at least, the ones I have seen so far). More serious than the "classic slapstick" of the Seventies, it is more historically accurate than the 2011 blockbuster, despite remaining an adventure and having many moments where historical rigor is, as it were, forgotten in a corner. This is particularly true of the way in which almost all characters behave and act, and which has much more to do with the 20th century than with the 17th. As I said, it is a flawed film.

The cast is quite good, overall. It does not provide us with an interpretive show, but does what is necessary to present a good work. Chris O'Donnell was satisfactory, he looks young and energetic enough for the character, and he looks like the best D'Artagnan of the three films I've seen so far (1973, 2011 and this one). Charlie Sheen, Kiefer Sutherland and, especially, Oliver Platt, are very effective, fun and energetic as Musketeers. Rebecca DeMornay is really beautiful and made the most of her physical talents and her magnificent hair in giving life to the beautiful and dangerous Milady. Gabrielle Anwar and Hugh O'Connor are effective as king and queen, but sometimes they seem lukewarm and devoid of personality. In the negative, I would highlight Tim Curry's poor interpretation of Richelieu. Despite the good lines and dialogues, he is histrionic and truly demonized the character. Michael Wincott also looks more dark and diabolical than he should be, but he doesn't sound too exaggerated.

Technically, it is a film that is within the standard of the adventure films of the Nineties. It has an unoriginal cinematography, but the sets and costumes seem satisfactory. The filming locations were very well selected and include the Imperial Palace in Vienna and the Liechtenstein Castle. The visual and special effects play their part and the fight and action scenes were quite well done, although they didn't seem genuine. Michael Kamen leaves us with a good soundtrack, appropriately epic and grand.