I only decided to watch this movie to see Stuart Townsend. I loved him in The Queen of the Damned. I think he played the character well in the movie.
However, I was utterly disappointed. His character was weak as was his unconvincing acting. There was no spark. Even the scene when he dies, showed no emotion or skills. Perhaps, that scene was supposed to be comedic, in the way in which he screamed, but it was just dull. Not even good enough for a smirk.
Now, you would expect an award winning actor like, Sean Connery to bring a bit of justice to the film. Sadley, though he doesn’t. I wouldn’t say he acted badly, but I felt that the film wasn’t for him. And the accent put on for the role, for highly irritating.
For those who don’t know, Naseeruddin Shah, is an award winning bollywood actor and has starred and directed many great films.
He is renounced for his acting, but in this movie he looked, misplaced and a little silly.
**Introducing the comic book characters** Allen Quartermain (Sean Connery) – from H. Rider Haggards, great white hunter Mina Harker (Peta Wilson) – Dracula’s love interest Captain Nemo (Naseeruddin Shah) – from 20,000 Leagues under the Sea, Indian Submariner Rodney Skinner (Tony Curran) – from H.G. Wells Invisible Man Dorian Gray (Stuart Townsend) – Oscar Wilde’s immortal character Dr Jekyll and Hyde (Jason Flemyng) – a mad scientist with 2 personalities Tom Sawyer (Shane West) – from Mark Twain
**The movie** The film is based on the comic book series by Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neil.
It is set in Victorian England and centre around a team of extraordinary men recruited together to stop a villain intent on creating a world war. That really what the plot is all about. Not much else to it, I’m afraid.
The film starts with a tanker crashing into a library, stealing plans from a vault. To stop the plans for destruction on the world, M (Richard Roxburgh) recruits 7 extraordinary men. First recruit is Allan Quatermain, who is living in Kenya. He had vowed never to help with any missions as one of his earlier expeditions led to the death of his son. However, he is convinced and is brought back to England. Here he meets with the recruiter, who tells him that the villain they are after is The Fantom. He is then introduced to Mina Harker, Rodney Skinner and Captain Nemo. They then take a ride in Captain Nemo’s “automobile” to meet and recruit Dorian Gray. At Gray’s house they are ambushed by The Fantom and his men. Tom Sawyer comes to the rescue and is also recruited. They now have the last member to find, Dr Jekyll/Hyde. For him, they must set off to Paris, and do this on Captain Nemo’s ship, The Sword of the Ocean. After, a chase to hunt him down through the streets and capturing, they convince him to join, by offering him a chance to do something good and return back to England.
Now, the full team has been recruited, they set to Venice to stop The Fantom’s evil plan. They need to stop a bomb that has been planted in one of the buildings which would destroy the whole city. Unfortunetly, the destruction has already begun when they arrive. They realise that someone amongst them is a spy and since Skinner has suddenly disappeared they assume it’s him. There’s now a car chase here, where Sawyer has been chosen as a guinea pig to cause a distraction. It works and Venice is safe. Coming back to the ship, they find out that Gray is the spy not Skinner, and also that he has taken samples of their uniqueness from each of the team. They also learn that M, is actually The Fantom is behind the whole plan and and is trying to build an instopable being using the samples.
So, now a personal mission for the league, minus Gray, they set off to stop M and save the world.
The ending of the movie seemed to scream sequel. I personally hope there isn’t.
The film is directed by Stephen Norrington and produced by Trevor Albert.
It has a 12 certificate. The movie will cost you just under a £10, for a 2 disc set DVD.
It’s a movie to watch for some mind numbing entertainment. Don’t expect anything from the movie.
The idea behind the movie is interesting. Perhaps if they put a little more thought into putting the film together, it could have turned out better.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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i have seen this film and a think it is very good, it is not rubbish
helpful review but your wrong it is a good film
thanks
LR_17 27.07.2004 14:43
I would have to agree with the title of your review. This film was not all it was cracked up to be. A shoddy script and it came in to the cinema at completely the wrong time! Leila :)
rickardo 24.07.2004 21:06
Having seen the film I enjoyed the review. The film was an aquired taste I think. I didn't want to see Armageddon anyway!
The heroes of 1899 are brought to life with the help of some expensive special effects ... more
inThe League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. From the pages of Victorian literature come Captain Nemo, Dr Jekyll (and his alter ego Mr Hyde), Dorian Gray, Tom Sawyer, th...
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The heroes of 1899 are brought to life with the help of some expensive special effects ... more
inThe League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. From the pages of Victorian literature come Captain Nemo, Dr Jekyll (and his alter ego Mr Hyde), Dorian Gray, Tom Sawyer, th...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The heroes of 1899 are brought to life with the help of some expensive special effects ... more
inThe League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. From the pages of Victorian literature come Captain Nemo, Dr Jekyll (and his alter ego Mr Hyde), Dorian Gray, Tom Sawyer, th...
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Advantages: an interesting film, there are few films in this sort of style Disadvantages: a lot of the acting was blank, and the characters were underdeveloped
![The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen - 2 disc Special Edition [DVD] [2003]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78524177.jpg "The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen - 2 disc Special Edition [DVD] [2003]")
![The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen [2003] [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78527631.jpg "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen [2003] [DVD]")
![The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen (Special Edition) [DVD] [2003]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78483831.jpg "The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen (Special Edition) [DVD] [2003]")
Jul 23rd, 2004
very helpful by (38%):
helpful by (54%):
somewhat helpful by (8%):
