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PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
Three Musketeers, The-in 3D (Blu-ray) (2011)

Three Musketeers, The-in 3D (Blu-ray) (2011)

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Released 22-Feb-2012

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Details At A Glance

General Extras
Category Action Adventure Main Menu Audio & Animation
Rating Rated M
Year Of Production 2011
Running Time 110:19
RSDL / Flipper Dual Layered Cast & Crew
Start Up Menu
Region Coding 4 Directed By Paul W.S. Anderson
Studio
Distributor

Sony Pictures Home Entertain
Starring Matthew MacFadyen
Milla Jovovich
Luke Evans
Helen George
Christian Oliver
Ray Stevenson
Case Standard Blu-ray
RPI ? Music Paul Haslinger


Video Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame None English DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 (3254Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
16x9 Enhancement
16x9 Enhanced
Video Format 1080p
Original Aspect Ratio 2.35:1 Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures No
Subtitles English Smoking No
Annoying Product Placement No
Action In or After Credits No

NOTE: The Profanity Filter is ON. Turn it off here.

Plot Synopsis

   

"Every legend has a new beginning"

 

     The Three Musketeers (2011) is the latest attempt by Hollywood to bring Alexandre Dumas' classic novel to the screen. In this attempt director Paul W. S. Anderson borrows heavily from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, and goes overboard with lavish sets, non-stop action, and heavy use of CGI. Adherence to the original novel is scant, but then the target audience of this movie is probably not that familiar with it anyway. Many movies rely on over the top action and affects to overcome the lack of a meaningful plot and depth of character. The Three Musketeers does this to the n'th degree, and has added the further gimmick of 3-D to proceedings. How well it succeeds depends on your point of view. As popcorn fodder The Three Musketeers succeeds admirably. Look under the surface however and you will see a shallow, predictable, mercenary attempt to create a new money-making franchise.

    This time around the three musketeers Athos (Matthew Macfadyen), Porthos (Ray Stevenson) and Aramis (Luke Evans) band together to thwart the evil intents of the English Duke of Buckingham (Orlando Bloom), who plans to use the inventions of Leonardo da Vinci to create an invincible war machine for battle against the French. The musketeers had earlier been disbanded by the scheming Cardinal Richelieu (Christoph Waltz), but are brought together again through the arrival of D'Artagnan (Logan Lerman), who aspires to be a musketeer. The Duke of Buckingham is joined in his quest by the conniving but beautiful Milady de Winter (Milla Jovovich). Milady had earlier been an ally of the three musketeers but betrayed them in favour of the Duke. After having been drawn again into the service of King Louis of France (Freddie Fox), the musketeers, along with D'Artagnan, face seemingly insurmountable odds in their quest to save the country from the evil Duke's plans.

    In bringing this movie to the screen director Anderson has constructed what is basically a selection of set action pieces joined together by the flimsiest of plots. To his credit the action pieces themselves are brilliantly executed and choreographed - again borrowing heavily from other action movies such as The Matrix and Pirates of the Caribbean. It is obvious that no expense has been spared in the set and costume design, with everything looking absolutely stunning. In some ways this movie resembles more a video game than historical action movie. Some of the stunts are outlandishly improbable, and the introduction of the da Vinci inspired war balloons is rather bizarre. Nevertheless if you turn off your brain and absorb the experience then you could be well rewarded.

    On a more sombre note I did however feel disquiet at her rather casual way in which the musketeers slashed and killed their way across the French and Viennese countryside. There is no blood as such, however for some reason I found the mixture of humour and killing a bit unsettling. One example which remained with me was when one of the Cardinal's goons was hung by the neck underneath an archway. This is played for laughs in the movie, but I didn't find the sight of his wriggling body at all amusing. For what it's worth I did check my opinions with another viewer who had the same impression. Maybe I'm becoming sensitive in my old age.

  

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Transfer Quality

Video

      This Blu-ray is presented in the cinematic aspect of 2.35:1 using the MVC codec at 1080p. To say that the visuals in this movie are amazing is to do it an injustice. You really have to see it to believe it. Quite simply the attention to detail and the amazing depth of vision achieved during filming is unmatched at this time. It is clear that in using the PACE Fusion 3-D cameras, and HD digital cameras Anderson has achieved a standout demonstration of the cinematographer's craft. The colours are vibrant and clean, facial textures are perfect, the fine detail extends throughout the picture from the object in frame to the background features. Witness the interior palace scenes for fine examples of bringing to life even the smallest and least significant details. Black levels are deep and well-balanced so that nothing is lost during dimly lit shots. The 3-D effects are used subtly and without excessive use of in-your-face and obvious gimmicks. It is in examples such as when the airship enters the screen in full frame that you see where 3-D has a valid use. The depth and bulk portrayed in that instance cannot be matched with a two-dimensional format. There is absolutely nothing that requires the smallest hint of criticism as far as the quality of video is concerned in either 3-D or 2-D. For purity of image the 2-D version is slightly superior, however the impact of 3-D in this instance is worth a slight degradation of image. The Three Musketeers ranks as one of the very best examples of high definition video you will see.

    This is a dual layer 50gb disc but I could not see the layer change using my equipment.


    

Video Ratings Summary
Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

        In keeping with the quality of video the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track included is superb with precise definition and excellent clarity. Surround use is extensive and appropriate with a tremendous dynamic range that flows throughout the viewing area. There is always some surround activity happening - whether it's the wind whistling or the birds flapping or the waves crashing. The LFE track is also thunderous when required as witnessed during the aerial sequences and cannon fire. It is very satisfying to actually feel the cannonballs smashing through the timber hulls during the battle scenes. Dialogue is always easy to understand and in perfect synchronisation with the video. The music score by Paul Hassinger compliments the on-screen action well - although in common with much of the film there are distinct similarities with the Pirates of the Caribbean.

    This audio track is reference quality.

Audio Ratings Summary
Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Extras

Menu

    The menu featured looping audio with background scenes from the movie.

R4 vs R1

NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.

    The Blu-ray under review is the bare-bones single disc version with selectable 2-D or 3-D video distributed by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Available in the US and the UK is a two disc Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3-D combo package with some extras including an audio commentary; a small featurette discussing the director's interpretive vision; a look at Orlando Bloom's role; a closer look at 17th-century air travel; a small featurette on how the filmmakers created the French and Viennese locations; and twelve deleted and extended scenes. There is also an extensive picture-in-picture supplement which provides access to cast and crew stories, and inside information about the making of the film. Also available is a single disc "Special Edition" 2D version with extras. As the extras don't look particularly interesting I think this single disc local version is probably good enough for most people.

Summary

    As popcorn fodder The Three Musketeers is good swashbuckling entertainment. Although it is obviously a Pirates Of The Caribbean inspired movie, it ultimately lacks the charm and accessibility of the Pirates franchise. It is clear from the closing sequences that further sequels are planned, however it remains to be seen whether The Three Musketeers franchise will have the success and longevity of the Pirates movies. None of the actors is in the same class or has the same appeal as Johnny Depp's captain Jack Sparrow, and there must be doubt whether there is a strong enough linchpin to keep momentum going. I do nevertheless recommend this movie as a great example of visual and audio high definition technology, even though the acting and plot and movie premise is ultimately only skin deep.

    The video quality is outstanding.

    The audio quality is outstanding.

    Extras are non-existent.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Mike B (read my bio)
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Review Equipment
DVDDenon DVD-3910 and Panasonic BD-35, using HDMI output
DisplayPanasonic TH-58PZ850A. Calibrated with Digital Video Essentials (PAL). This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 1080p.
Audio DecoderBuilt in to amplifier/receiver. Calibrated with Digital Video Essentials (PAL).
Amplificationdenon AVR-4311 pre-out to Elektra Theatron 7 channel amp
SpeakersB&W LCR600 centre and 603s3 mains, Niles in ceiling surrounds, SVS PC-Ultra Sub, Definitive Technology Supercube II Sub

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