a good family film
Added 10/14/2009
I had never read the "comic" books that the film is based on, so I came to the film with no preconceptions, and I enjoyed it for what it is - a family orientated adventure film.
We open with the dark cobbled streets of London in 1899 and a strange, never seen before, metal vehicle (we know to be a tank) is rolling through the streets and heading straight into the Bank of England, where a German scientist is kidnapped.
We move to Kenya, June 1899, where a man comes in search of the legendary hero Allan Quartermain. Except Quatermain (Sean Connery) is now jaded by his experiences and until attacked he wants nothing to do with the problems of the empire - only then does he agree to return once more to save the world.
July 1899 Quatermain arrives in London and is introduced to "M" (Richard Roxburgh - Van Helsing (Widescreen Edition))) who explains that the villain of the peace is a man known as the "Fantom", and that over the centuries there have been groups of chosen men with special attributes who were known as "The League of Extra Ordinary Gentlemen" or "The League".
This League will be Quatermain, Captain Nemo (Naseeruddin Shah), Rodney Skinner aka the Invisible Man (Tony Curran - Underworld - Evolution (Widescreen Special Edition)), Mina Harker (Peta Wilson), Dorian Gray (Stuart Townsend), Dr Jekyll / Mr Hyde (Jason Flemyng - Primeval, Vol. 2 (Series 3)) and Agent Tom Sawyer (Shane West).
This film was going to divide people into those that know the graphic novels and those that don't know them at all. Since I don't know them I have nothing that I can complain about - I enjoyed them. The film not only suffered because of the link to the graphic novels, but because it's release coincided with the release of Van Helsing (Full Screen Edition) - even the DVD was released at the same time.
What I love are the references to the older books, such as Moby Dick, Around the World in 80 Days, etc. There are also hints as to who the baddy is very early on in the film. I also like the fact that the Mr Hyde character was not created by the use of CGI but the old fashion way - using makeup.
Interestingly, Roxburgh appeared in both films, and moved between the sets, which were being filmed only a short distance apart.
It is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon with the family
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Added 9/23/2009
I love almost any movie Sean Connery makes and this one is now at the top of the list. The vendor shipped in "post haste" and had it packed so no damage could come to it. The condition was as written by the vendor and came a considerable time before the "deadline". Great job! I will return for more movies.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Great Movie!!!
Added 9/6/2009
loved it from beginning to end!!
i have it on UMD for PSP so that i can use my son's device to watch it anywhere!!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Exquisite Action-Mystery-Classics Jumble
Added 8/17/2009
This movie is all about action, the characters are too many to be pemanently remembered as extraordinary: Dracula, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Invisible Man, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
The only memorable character is an object: The Nautilus submarine. It is a magical combination of modern technology and old world manufacture and luxuries, and because Nemo is so faithful to his Indian heritage, on turning a corner one does not find vulgar machinery at work, but an altar to Kali or Ganesha. When the ship surfaces in a Venetian canal, which is such a complete and total physical impossibility that it is completely comical, we know we are in the land of never never action.
The action itself can barely keep track with the characters, all of which must show off their special attributes to contribute to the story, which is basically good versus evil scientists.
Almost all of Venice gets blown up, there is a trip to the Antartica that allows all of them to wear great fur-lined coats, and a lot of speeding under the sea, but I for one feel that a visit to the Nile and the Amazon rivers woudl have been nice additions. The incredible amount of energy this movie shows makes you feel like you've worked out for hours, and the visuals give you a sense of hours spent in luxury shops gawking at incredibly beautiful, useless objects. It feels good snapping out of it too. A great movie to see with children.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Good not great!
Added 5/14/2009
When choosing blu-ray disc you have to decide which are worth the investment. This one was not.
0 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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a good family film
Added 10/14/2009
I had never read the "comic" books that the film is based on, so I came to the film with no preconceptions, and I enjoyed it for what it is - a family orientated adventure film.
We open with the dark cobbled streets of London in 1899 and a strange, never seen before, metal vehicle (we know to be a tank) is rolling through the streets and heading straight into the Bank of England, where a German scientist is kidnapped.
We move to Kenya, June 1899, where a man comes in search of the legendary hero Allan Quartermain. Except Quatermain (Sean Connery) is now jaded by his experiences and until attacked he wants nothing to do with the problems of the empire - only then does he agree to return once more to save the world.
July 1899 Quatermain arrives in London and is introduced to "M" (Richard Roxburgh - Van Helsing (Widescreen Edition))) who explains that the villain of the peace is a man known as the "Fantom", and that over the centuries there have been groups of chosen men with special attributes who were known as "The League of Extra Ordinary Gentlemen" or "The League".
This League will be Quatermain, Captain Nemo (Naseeruddin Shah), Rodney Skinner aka the Invisible Man (Tony Curran - Underworld - Evolution (Widescreen Special Edition)), Mina Harker (Peta Wilson), Dorian Gray (Stuart Townsend), Dr Jekyll / Mr Hyde (Jason Flemyng - Primeval, Vol. 2 (Series 3)) and Agent Tom Sawyer (Shane West).
This film was going to divide people into those that know the graphic novels and those that don't know them at all. Since I don't know them I have nothing that I can complain about - I enjoyed them. The film not only suffered because of the link to the graphic novels, but because it's release coincided with the release of Van Helsing (Full Screen Edition) - even the DVD was released at the same time.
What I love are the references to the older books, such as Moby Dick, Around the World in 80 Days, etc. There are also hints as to who the baddy is very early on in the film. I also like the fact that the Mr Hyde character was not created by the use of CGI but the old fashion way - using makeup.
Interestingly, Roxburgh appeared in both films, and moved between the sets, which were being filmed only a short distance apart.
It is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon with the family
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Added 9/23/2009
I love almost any movie Sean Connery makes and this one is now at the top of the list. The vendor shipped in "post haste" and had it packed so no damage could come to it. The condition was as written by the vendor and came a considerable time before the "deadline". Great job! I will return for more movies.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Great Movie!!!
Added 9/6/2009
loved it from beginning to end!!
i have it on UMD for PSP so that i can use my son's device to watch it anywhere!!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
