THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN
A 20^TH Century Fox Release

review by Joseph B. Mauceri

SYNOPSIS: Based on the best-selling and acclaimed comic book series by Alan Morre and Kevin O¹Neill, the LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN unites an unlikely collection of literary characters that previously never appeared together. The tale is set at the height of the industrial revolution, in the last days of the 19^th Century. A sinister villain, the Fantom, has kidnapped scientists from all over the globe in order to build a vast arsenal of technological weapons, the likes of which the world, at that period in history, has never seen. M (Roxburgh), the character from the James bond series, and England have sent for Allan Quatermain (Connery) to lead a group of unlikely heroes, cursed individuals and outcasts to stop this madman (see the list below) and maintain peace in the world.

REVIEW: Alan Moore and Kevin O¹Neill came up with the idea, which they borrowed from the Innervision Comics title ³Fates 5,² to bring together several literary figures in an epic adventure. They layered their tale with references to many of these works, as well as some minor characters from other great works of fiction. The series did have a few problems, but it should be commended because it hopefully lead this new generation of comic book readers back to the original literary works. The cinematic adaptation of the graphic novel obviously does not have such lofty goals.

I know this probably doesn¹t matter to you, but I think it does bear pointing out. Director Stephen Norrington had some problems on set, and, I am told, there was no love loss between him a Sean Connery. At screenings the studios pass out notes. Usually a filmmaker gets a paragraph or two. Norrington received two lines. The second list his credits as, ³This is his fourth film.² It has to make you wonder, and I think that negative energy has infected the film. The movie should have this feel of an epic adventure, regardless of the behind-the-scenes drama or the drastic changes in the story. The passion, drama, and relationships all feel superficial. At the opening I was excited by the look and special effects, and thought that the film would exceed my expectations. Unfortunately, it never rose above that level of the opening moments. As a result, I got this feeling that the studio was resting the burden of the film¹s success on Connery¹s shoulders. However, a great actor can¹t save a bad script.

The casting is fine, and you can tell Connery is doing his best to make this an ensemble. You can tell that the cast has an appreciation for the characters they¹re playing, and it becomes one of the most engaging aspects of the film, after the special effects. Again, it is the liberty taken with these characters¹ stories that cause the film to crumble under its own weight.

One of my friends is always quick to complain, ³Why is it that when they make a film on a successful comic that they feel they have to drastically change the origin of the character?² Now imagine taking this comic book and messing around with the tale and the literary backgrounds of these characters. Ugh! The stupidest change, and I think it warrants the Writer¹s Guild possibly revoking the membership of the person responsible for it, has to do with the character ³M.² Yes, it is ³M² from the James Bond series. In the original comic book series the villain was Fu Manchu. However, there was some talk about the studio fearing possible backlash by using an Asian villain. (Don¹t read on if you don¹t want the ending spoiled.) So they created the Fantom, who they unveil to be ³M² in disguise. So, who is ³M²? He is none other than Sherlock Holmes archrival Prof. James Moriarty. In and of itself, it¹s not a bad choice for a villain. However, by making him ³M,² you¹ve now destroyed the league, and the entire setup that the graphic novel based its subsequent installments on. Besides, how do you do a sequel? Don¹t answer that. I forgot myself for a moment. We¹re talking about Hollywood here. If the money is there I¹m sure they¹ll come up with a way.

THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN is a typical summer blockbuster ¯ it¹s all about special effects and not much on story. All the references that made the graphic novel great are almost gone. In fact, many elements that make these characters memorable have been boiled down to the lowest common denominator, but the talented cast saves the dignity of these literary figures. It doesn¹t make sense because it¹s all about dollars. It¹s a shame that what had the potential to be the next ³Raiders of the Lost Arc,² is rendered just another mindless special effects film.

OFFICIAL WEB SITE:
www.leagueofextraordinarygentlemen.com

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