The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan is a 2023 action-adventure film, serving as the opening installment of a two-part series inspired by Alexandre Dumas’s 1844 novel, The Three Musketeers. This French adaptation directed by Martin Bourboulon and written by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière chronicles the journey of D’Artagnan (François Civil), a vibrant young man from Gascony. On his way to Paris with hopes of joining the famed Musketeers of the Guard, D’Artagnan finds himself in trouble while attempting to rescue a young noblewoman who is being kidnapped.
Upon reaching Paris, motivated by a desire for revenge against his assailants, D’Artagnan becomes entangled in a war with the fate of France hanging in the balance. He forges alliances with Athos (Vincent Cassel), Porthos (Pio Marmaï), and Aramis (Romain Duris), three esteemed musketeers in the service of King Louis XIII (Louis Garrel). Together, they navigate the intricate political and social landscape of 17th-century France with a stunning portrayal and true cinematic experience.
Eva Green as the chameleon Milady
The film stars many impressive French actors, but I was really excited to see Eva Green. From Penny Dreadful and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, she’s one of my favorite actresses. She’s enigmatic and has an extensive range in both television and movie roles. So, I will be honest and say that she was the main draw for me to watch this movie.
Eva Green plays the cunning and mysterious Milady de Winter, who is known for her chameleonic nature, constantly changing her identity to adapt to different situations and people. The film changes Milady’s backstory from the Dumas novel, and they add a psychopathic side to her personality. Other critics have highlighted her portrayal of this complex and dark character as a significant strength of the movie, and I agree. Green does a phenomenal job at playing dark characters and Milady de Winter is a wicked character that brings the adaptation of this French classic to a whole ‘nother level.
The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan is a breathtaking production. I haven’t had the chance to watch a lot of French cinema so this is my first foray into the medium of this beautiful country. We all know the story of The Three Musketeers, and there have been many retellings. While this version did take some liberties with the integrity of the original story, as most film adaptations do, The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan does a great job staying close to it. I truly believe this is the one that does the story justice, as I mentioned before. With scenes of spectacular action, I thoroughly enjoyed this French feature. The story had me enticed and glued to my screen from beginning to end.
Costumes, Sets, and More for The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan
The costumes for films like this can be a hit or miss, but unfortunately, they’re not really a hit with the costumes for the Musketeers. I do wish that I saw a bit more color for them since they are the main characters in the movie. Watching the characters, though fully dressed, execute the plans they prepared had me invested in the story.
On a positive note, the film is shot beautifully. Truly, when I was watching this movie, I was taken aback by how breathtaking it was. Whenever the story got a little less interesting for me, the cinematography carried me through. The sets for this film are magnificent. One thing that can be a detriment to modern-day film is poorly made sets, but the landscapes of this movie are very picturesque. Honestly, making a film visually appealing does elevate the cinematic experience. I believe those elements enhanced the essence of the classic story they are retelling. I love watching a movie that’s beautiful to watch. It brings you into the story, and the landscapes of the setting of this movie are very picturesque.
I will be honest and say that even though the fight scenes are impressive, they are a bit all over the place. Sometimes, when I was watching them fight, I couldn’t really tell which side was which. Nonetheless, I was impressed because I can’t do what they do in the movie.
Final thoughts on The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan
The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan is a visually striking and action-packed adaptation. It promises to bring to life the timeless charm of Alexandre Dumas’s classic novel and delivers. With Eva Green’s outstanding performance and overall visual appeal, this film has an allure that will make you a diehard French cinema fan. I promise you will go on a captivating, action-packed journey that pays homage to the Dumas class while staying true to the essence of the original story. And the ending will leave you primed for the next chapter in this Martin Bourboulon story, The Three Musketeers: Milady.
The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan is now available to purchase on digital platforms.
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