The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

Jekyll: "It's not about any one of us, Tom, it's bigger than that."
Sawyer: "Yes, it is! The fate for the world is in our hands...the world! So M tricked you, he brought you all together and you walked straight into his trap. But the way that I see it, that's the part he did wrong...he brought you together."

release year: 2003
genre: action/adventure
viewing setting: home Bluray 3/18/22 and home DVD, 4/5/15 and 7/22/09 and 1/20/04

synopsis: In 1899, a group of noteworthy individuals band together to prevent a world war.

impressions: This was pretty good, in a fantastic sort of way. This is a great concept (based on a comic book) - collect a great adventurer, the invisible man, a spawn of Dracula, Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde, and so on...all in one place. Sure, it gets silly in places (the Venice destruction, for example) but it's all in good fun...and most importantly, it's set in an alternate world where things are different. This, my friends, is why there can exist in 1899 a submarine with sonar, a car, etc. All in all, this movie brings a sense of wonder from all these fictional characters and what they each have to offer.

things to watch for: I thought the big gunfight in Dorian Gray's house was pretty good.

something this movie has that no other movie has: Mr. Hyde, an invisible man, AND a vampire!

acting: Sean Connery does a good job as aging, weary adventurer Quatermain; it never occured to me that the man was 72. Peta Wilson makes an odd, detached vampiress. Tony Curran, as (mostly the voice of) the invisible man, brought some sharp humor to the film. Shane West is young, enthusiastic American Tom Sawyer. The Jekyll/Hyde duo was also well-acted thanks to Jason Flemyng. Naseeruddin Shah as Captain Nemo (complete with martial arts action moves) was imposing and a little weird.

final word: A little far-fetched, but quite entertaining and action-packed.

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