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"What, exactly, is this film about?" That was the predominant thought I
carried
with me prior to going into the theater. I was there for a handful of
reasons,
including that its basis is from a comic book, the commercials looked
really cool,
and, most importantly, Sean Connery is in it as Alan Quatermain.
The film is set in 1899, and Quatermain is one of a handful of literary
characters
handpicked to thwart an evil man, known as The Fantom, from starting a world
war and an arms race between England and Germany. The other recruits
include a female vampire (Mina Murray), a mortal man who dabbled in the Black
Arts to be an immortal (Dorian Gray), an infamous sea captain/pirate (Captain
Nemo), an invisible thief (Rodney Skinner), a tortured split personality (Dr.
Jekyl/Mr. Hyde) and an American Secret Service agent (Tom Sawyer) who
volunteers his help.
All of the characters have special/unique talents and background stories
that are
explored throughout the movie. It's nice to watch how each of them deals
with
the skeletons in their closet as the film progresses. The Fantom is not
really
explored, and his true identity is kept a secret through most of the movie.
The set designs were elegant and could be seen as another character of the
film.
London, in 1899, was appropriately dark and gloomy, and the inside of Captain
Nemo's ship (the Nautilus) was amazing in the way that it reminded me of the
palace in Indiana Jones
and the Temple of Doom.
At times, the story seemed a little far-fetched, but this was based on a
comic
book. It was even refreshing that the action was more simplistic than other
comic/action films that have been released.
Even though the sequences seemed to play it completely straightforward, the
filmmakers didn't cheat us of great visual surprises. The transformation
of Dr.
Jekyl and Mr. Hyde was fascinating and grotesque. It really gives the Hulk a run
for his money.
This film will appeal to fans of The
Mummy with Brendan Fraser or the Indiana
Jones series. It will be a DVD worth owning -- but seeing it in the
theater
first is a definite must. The magnitude of this film really envelopes you
in the
theater. It is a film worthy of high praise.
GRADE: A
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