The Three Musketeers

A full decade after their now forgotten last cinema adventure, The Three Musketeers have once again made their way to movie screens. And this time, they're in 3D, which is how I viewed their Saturday Morning Serial escapades.

Once again, we have D'Artangan, the young heroic head out into the city to join the Musketeers. The Three Musketeers, who are Athos, Porthos and Aramis, have been forced to retire due to the scheming of the evil Cardinal Richelieu. Richelieu and his henchmen, Milady de Winter and the Duke of Buckingham scheme to take over France by getting it to war with England. And so, our heroes must take up arms to save the day.

Oh yeah, and there's also flying ships and plenty of dangerous traps to navigate through. Plenty of ways to use the 3D format.

Having previously started such film franchises as Resident Evil, director Paul W.S. Anderson hopes to start another one by way of this literary interpretation. It clearly sets up another one, so should you wait for it? Maybe.

Its highest point is that it's visually impressive. Costumes, sets (both real and digital) and of course, the visual effects are very well done. Even the 3D rendering is quite nice, which should be a welcome change if anyone's been to one too many slack-off 3D efforts.

Its lowest point, though, is that it throws so much at you, but not much sticks. In other words, it's another film that's great for a Saturday matinee, but for any other time, its strictly optional. Still, there are a few performances in the cast that are fun to watch. Among them are James Corden as the Musketeers' servant Planchet and Orlando Bloom as the supremely snide Duke of Buckingham. So, that afternoon isn't really wasted in the end.

Whether you choose to see it in 3D or flatscreen, that's your decision. Or if you want to use your afternoon some other way. But if you do see it, be prepared for a decent time at the movies.