Dr. Alan Moore and Dr. Kevin O’Neill, created and wrote the comic book ’’League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, ’’ but as with the case with Spiderman, Daredevil, this is not an rip out of the Comic book. Not to take anything away its an very well made Action movie, which has enough violence and blood shed to earn it an Excellent tag on the Action movie scale.
Plot :
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (LXG), is set up in the year 1889. In that year an evil Fantom with his superior weapons and with evil desires plans to start World War. To stop any such plans LXG is created. Initially planned to start with six renowned gentlemen of that era, it actually comprises of seven individuals.
Alan Quatermain (Shaun Connery), heads the league, with an Indian scientist/pirate Capt. Nemo (Naseeruddin Shah), two vampires Mina Harker (Peta Wilson) & Dorian Grey (Stuart Townsend), hollow man Rodney Skinner (Tony Curran), Hulk cast-a-like Dr. Henry Jekyll (Jason Fleming) and last but certainly not the least Cowboy-Agent Tom Sawyer (Shane West).
Half of the movie revolves around the appointment of LXG, the rest half leads you to the end. All through there is no shortage of action and special effects.
For the weak plot it posses the movie never fulfills you. Though the action and special effects are among the best we have seen in recent times. The movies sound engineering is one which will impress one and all, it just creates enough ripples in the head, without disturbing the natures sweetly placed ear drums.
Technically :
Director Stephen Norrington, has done good job, for the weak screenplay put up by James Robinson. The Cast has done their reputation no harm. But still there is lot of potential that could have been extracted out of Shaun, Naseer and Shane West. Camera, Sound, Action and Special Effects, are very good.
Memorable Quotes :
Allan Quatermain : If you can’t do it with one bullet, don’t do it at all.
Allan Quatermain : Oh, I saw...Very American. Fire enough bullets and hope they hit the target!
Allan Quatermain : May this new century be yours, son, as the old one was mine.
Mina Harker : You’re sweet, and you’re young; neither are traits that I hold in high regard.
Allan Quatermain : Mrs. Harker, I doubt if you measure danger the same way I do.
Mina Harker : And I imagine you to have quite a library. All those books you’ve read by looking at their covers.
Allan Quatermain : I’ve had women with me on past exploits, and have found them to be, at best, a distraction.
Mina Harker : Do I distract you...?
Allan Quatermain : My dear girl, I’ve buried two wives and many lovers. And I’m in no mood for more of either.
Rodney Skinner : Well, you can send ’em my way!
Trivia :
The character of Tom Sawyer was added because the studio thought many people in the American market wouldn’t care about the movie unless an American character and cast member was in it.
When Nemo first introduces Alan Quartermain to his first mate, his first mate introduces himself by saying, ’’Call me Ishmael.’’ This is the opening line of ’’Moby Dick’’ by Hermann Melville, a great 19th century literary work.
Filming was delayed due to the summer 2002 floods in Prague, Czech Republic which
destroyed more than $7 million worth of sets.
Overall :
Children, Teenagers and Young, with heart for adventure, put it on your September schedule and rest of you can let the League pass by.