The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)

THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN (2003) / ** 1/2

Directed by Stephen Norrington. Screenplay by James Dale Robinson, based on the comic book by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill. Starring Sean Connery, Naseeruddin Shah, Stuart Townsend. Running time: 110 minutes. Rated AA for violent scenes by the MFCB. Reviewed on July 21st, 2003.

By SHANNON PATRICK SULLIVAN

Synopsis: In the year 1899 and a world not too different from our own, British government agent M (Richard Roxburgh) brings together some of the late nineteenth century's greatest and most notorious figures. Led by retired adventurer Allan Quatermain (Connery), this "league" also includes seafarer Captain Nemo (Shah), undead Mina Harker (Peta Wilson) and invisible cutpurse Rodney Skinner (Tony Curran), amongst others. Their mission is to stop the Phantom, a masked madman bent on inciting worldwide war.

Review: "The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen" is one of the great comic book successes of the young century. But with none of its creators involved, the film version is a less accomplished entity, the script by comics veteran Robinson lacking Moore's subtlety. The League members, for example, are defined less by their personalities and flaws as by their powers. Hence Mina, complex and decidedly non-vampiric in the comics, sports all of Dracula's powers (but, strangely, few of his weaknesses) on the big screen. Still, Jason Flemyng's Mr Hyde is fun, if too nice, and is well-animated -- although an exaggerated version of the character who pops up later is less successful. New characters join this cinematic League, and while Townsend's suave Dorian Grey works surprisingly well, Shane West's Tom Sawyer -- a transparent sop to American audiences -- is utterly redundant. Similarly uneven is the plot, which bears little resemblance to Moore's. The weakest portion is set in Venice, in which a confused effort to stop a chain of bombs from destroying a peace conference (or something) is just an excuse to shoehorn in a few special effects. Overall, though, "League" is an acceptable popcorn flick; maybe it will at least inspire some viewers to check out the books which inspired it. Those familiar with the comic, however, can be forgiven for expecting something greater.

Copyright © 2003 Shannon Patrick Sullivan. Archived at The Popcorn Gallery, http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sps/movies.html

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X-RT-RatingText: 2.5/4