Under the lens takes a deep look at films by focusing in on one or two particular areas of the picture that helped to define it for better or for worse. Spoilers will be included in this review.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is an action-adventure adaptation of the graphic novel that bears the same name, directed by Stephen Norrington and stars Sean Connery, Stuart Townsend, and Peta Wilson among others. The story is set in an alternate Victorian Age world, where a group of famous contemporary fantasy, science fiction, and adventure characters team up on a secret mission.
Under The Lens: Pulp action, Old world ending
Pulp action: One of the strong aspects of this picture is that it’s cheesy and it knows it, it never for a moment pretends it anything more than a pulp action-adventure. We see over the top action spectacles, monsters in duals to the death and witty puns by immortals as they try to find a way to kill each other. It’s interesting to see the various literary heroes gather together to fight a greater threat.
Old world ending: The overarching theme of the picture was the idea of the old world ending and a new one dawning. We see the villain The Fantom attempting to start a world war by using modern military powers combined with supernatural ones to grow his power and wealth. Its shown that the old world heroes time is passing and its time for the new era of heroes to come, we see this with the relationship that develops between Alan Quartermain and Tom Sawyer.
Highlights
For the first time since the 1916 motion picture, we see a book accurate Captain Nemo who is of Indian descent.
Alan Quartermain has a nice heroes journey from bitter cynic to heroic legend.
Stuart Townsend’s Dorian Grey was a delightfully evil villain who is as fast with a quip as with a blade.
Something to think about
What would you do if an old flame reconnected with you and you both had feelings for each other, but one of you was married or in a relationship?
Conclusion
Overall The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is far from perfect with a messy script, however with near-perfect casting and CGI that for the time was very advanced, it is nevertheless a very fun picture to watch. From a time before the Marvel and DC cinematic universes placed Superheroes on our screens every few months, its refreshing to see a team-up superhero picture that dared to introduce a team without a bevy of solo films before it. the cast has a lot of chemistry and Sean Connery plays a great world-weary hero who has lost everything in service to Queen and Country. While The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen won’t win any awards, it knows what it wants to be, a fun and campy action-adventure to bring a smile to your face, and with that, it succeeds.
