MOVIE REVIEW

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, The  (2003)

Starring: Sean Connery, Peta Wilson, Stuart Townsend
Director: Stephen Norrington

Rating: PG-13

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Release Date: 7.11.03

Review Posted: 7.24.03

Spoilers: Minor

By Rachel Sexton

Certainly "Extraordinary" And Exciting, Though Imperfect And Predictable

Anyone who knows comic books knows the name Alan Moore. His latest creation is The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Hollywood, of course, couldn’t wait to make a film version. Though it’s not the best event movie of the summer, Twentieth Century Fox’s film adaptation of the comic book is an entertaining, exciting ride.

The film’s opening is a bit mixed. I like the way the Fox logo is incorporated, but the rest is a mix of action and newspaper headlines that falls a little flat. Thankfully though, the premise of the film is hard to beat: At the turn of the century, famous literary characters are gathered by the mysterious M (Richard Roxburgh) to stop a madman called the Phantom who appears to be trying to start a world war. The leader is Allan Quartermaine (Sean Connery), adventurer of King Solomon’s Mines. Also on board are Dracula’s Mina Harker (Peta Wilson), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Jason Flemyng), the Invisible Man (Tony Curran), Captain Nemo (Neseeruddin Shah), Dorian Gray (Stuart Townsend) and, for the Americans, Tom Sawyer (Shane West). Their mission is only part of the puzzle they have to unravel. (For all the details, see the film.)

The script here is flawed but only in spots. Having read the comic book, one of my complaints is that the leader of the League has been switched from Mina to Quartermaine. A woman could have led things just as well. The actions scenes here are on the whole interesting, especially the fight scene just after Quartermaine’s introduction. One knockout scene is the initial gathering of almost all of the characters near the beginning of the film. Just the idea of all of them in one room is downright cool. Also, that scene has a great moment introducing the Invisible Man. The interaction between Quartermaine and Sawyer feels sort of like the mentor teaching his protégé. The twists here are also memorable, even if a bit predictable. An additional knockout is the ending showdown that contains awesome fights, and not to mention the final scene following it is cool, too, hinting at a possible sequel.

The directorial touches here are likeable, such as fast film speed for a couple of scenes and a good cross cutting technique in the final showdown. I also like the way a recording is dramatized in black and white. The production values are amazing, with beautiful sets and costumes, and special effects that are astounding. Check out the League’s transportation, Nemo's Nautilus submarine. It’s jaw dropping.

Connery is an established legend and a better leading man is hard to find. You can’t hire him and have his character not be the leader. West as Sawyer is excellent at being young and brash but seems to make his character mature as well. He’s definitely turning into a leading man. Of the rest, Wilson is good as Mina. When she turns into a vampire it’s truly engrossing. Townsend as Gray is great, too, as his is one of the more interesting characters and he has charisma that can’t be faked. Flemyng makes Jekyll’s torture feel real as well.

All in all, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, though imperfect, is an exciting adaptation of a comic, which is all the more remarkable considering the time period its set in. Join this League, you won’t regret it.

Rating: êêê1/2  (out of 5)

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