Rating: 
Summary: Great!
Review: Sound story, good acting.I'm not a Leo fan myself, but the acting in this film by all actors was exceptional.
Rating: 
Summary: Mediocre...
Review: How on Earth can such a cast: Jeremy Irons, Gabriel Byrne, John Malkovich and Gerard Depardieu make such a bad movie from such a great story and such a classic novel? Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the worst things to ever happen to American films and deservedly so. He's ruined many a good movie that he has painfully performed in. And after such a stellar film as Braveheart, Randall Wallace could have done better justice in adapting Alexandre Dumas' classic tale of adventure, betrayal and ultimate redemption. It's not all bad, but it certainly isn't all good, or even half good for that matter. It's entertaining, but not the best big screen version of the movie there is. Entertaining, but just not quality.
Rating: 
Summary: 4.5 stars
Review: People are trashing this movie mainly because of Leo, who was -- admittedly -- miscast. The role should probably have gone to someone with some talent. But apart from that and the dialogue, the movie is worth almost five stars just for Gabriel Byrne's acting, which is -- as always -- breathtaking. He is superb and shows all the nuances of his character's ethical dilemma. As for the historical inaccuracy, the movie wouldn't be faithful to Dumas's novel if it didn't completely rewrite history. Dumas himself is notorious for that. As for not following Dumas's plot, that's because the novel was jumbled and uninteresting and had the worst ending possible to a story. In the movie, we get to see the Musketeers together for one last stand -- and in spite of the cliches that everyone else comments on, it's actually really cool.
Rating:
Summary: ENGARDE!
Review: "All for one. One for all!" The familiar oath is heard again in this swashbuckler. Only this time our four heroes are older, as The Musketeers reunite for one last grand stand against injustice.
Aramis(Jeremy Irons),is now a devout priest and prays for the starving people of Paris, Porthos(Gerard Depardieu)is out of shape but still has the will to fight for right(Depardieu is also very much the comic relief in this film),Athos(John Malkovich), retired and has a son who has now gone into the service of the king, and the youngest D'Artagnan(Gabriel Bryne), still in service is now the Captain of the Musketeers, and very loyal to his King. And of course the coldhearted young King Louie XIV(Leonardo DiCaprio).
The King lets his people starve while he lavishes in luxeries. He uses people, especially women with no shred of decency or emotion. Even his mother Queen Anne(Anne Parillaud) is ashamed but still loves him. And Louie has a secret, one that may threaten his reign someday. It is the "Man In The Iron Mask" who he has had imprisoned.
Aramis ,Athos, and Porthos have set a plan into motion to restore decency to the throne. D'Artagnan on the other hand remains loyal to the king and carries with him a secret of his own. They don their old uniforms, and we see them in action once again. Will they be able to set free the man in the mask? Will D'Artagnan reunite with them?
The swordfights,scenery and costumes are all exquiste. The story will move you,there are some very poignant scenes as well as lots of action,adventure, romance and above all loyalties. Loyalties to each other, the King and to France.The actors work extraordinary well together and are impeccable in their roles.Director Randall Wallace really gives us a good look at this time and place in history, and a strong feeling for each character.
Fabulous DVD!(MGM) The widescreen presentation(standard on the other side if you prefer) really shows off the granduer of the palace grounds, and the surrounding scenery.The picture and colors clear and bright. The 5.1 Surround is outstanding in this action film. You can hear every clip clop of the horses on the stone, every clink of the swords, and every word of the dialouge clearly. The music is also well recieved and is effective. There are several features you may want to check out, there is audio commentary, a really informative look at how they chose and made the mask, and a booklet inside the case.You can also use the English, French or Spanish Subtitles if needed.
Check it out.....Laurie
Rating:
Summary: In my opinion the movie that is truest to the charaters...
Review: Though not really to the story. As far as musketeer movies go this is one of the best, if only because the charaters are very much like their literary counterparts. As far as the story, well this is a fun movie and I can't fault the film maker from straying from the original considering the original story is just a small portion of a much longer story and it would take a full season mini series to tell it right. Over all good musketeer movie.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly great movie!
Review: Ok, to start, I just want to say that I am in no way a Three Musketeer fan. I wouldn't even look their way usually...but a friend of mine insisted that we watch this movie. Grunting, and with only Encino Man as another option, I agreed on this flick. The movie started innocently enough, and to tell most the truth, I didn't even give it a chance. Normally if you go into something with just the thought of "this is going to [stink]", it most likely will. This was not the case for me when I was watching it though... STORY/PLOT: The plot, characters, scenery, and fighting is all top-notch from what I saw. Every person I saw drew me to like them, and I found myself cheering for the original Three (Four) Musketeers even until the end. You'll be surprised how little bad-knowledge you need on the trio (quartet) to really enjoy this film. And although the main point is focused on something other than the Musketeers, they still manage to play a major role in the movie. DVD QUALITY/EXTRAS: The video is really crisp and I noticed no real distortion in the movie. Sound was also very nice (as all DVDs should be) and I wouldn't hesitate to rate the audio up with such others as Braveheart and Gladiator. Since it was my friend's, I really didn't get a look at ALL of the contents of the disc, but from what I could tell, it was a moderate DVD. The extras are the usual for this type of film, and don't offer anything spectacular or independent from other DVDs...so don't buy this DVD for content. OTHER: The only problem I have with this movie is everyone seems to hate it. I can only guess that a lot of guys go to see it and get turned off by Leonardo DiCaprio's major role as king in the movie. I'm not big on Leonardo DiCaprio either, but I feel that he deserves a chance in this one. [SPOILER] He manages to play two roles, and I feel since they were opposite personalities he pulled the role off perfectly as two completely different people. [END OF SPOILER] FIN~: To wrap things up, if you are used to cool swashbuckling scenes, as well as some great story-telling, I reccomend this movie to most. The only people that should steer clear of this movie are: people that totally hate Leonardo Dicaprio movies, people that don't like French stories, and people that need lots of non-stop action. For you out there who like exquisite scenery, romance, and all of the other things I've listed...then this movie is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Good way to spend three hours
Review: No classic or masterpiece, but certainly an enjoyable way to spend three hours.
Leonardo De Caprio is certainly NOT my favourite actor, but he does well in his double portrayal of
The cruel and evil King Louis and his mild mannered twin, Phillipe.
As usual John Malkovitch once again proves himself to be one of the very best actors of his time as Athos, the man who hatches the plan to replace the tyrant, Louise.
We need more men like the musketeers in the tyrannies of the world today like Cuba, Libya, Zimbabwe, Syria, Iraq and China. People prepared to give all in the fight for freedom, and who bear a genuine and intense hatred of tyranny.
The costume and scenery are very well done
There is nothing breathtakingly ingenious about this movie but there is never a dull movement here either
You could do worse!
Rating:
Summary: What actor in his forties would not want to be a Musketeer?
Review: I know why I like this movie and it is simply because "The Man in the Iron Mask" does for swordplay movies what "Space Cowboys" did for space movies. It allowed a bunch of older actors to have fun in parts usually reserved for the younger set. I can just imagine John Malkovich's eyes lighting up at the thought of somebody asking him to play one of the Three Musketeers (Athos). The same goes for Jeremy Irons (Aramis), Gerard Depardieu (Porthos) and Gabriel Byrne (D'Artagnan). The key line for me in the movie is when Lieutenant Andre (Edward Atterton) points to D'Artagnan and says "All of my life all I ever wanted to be was HIM." But you can substitute any one of the Musketeers in that statement. I just cannot imagine any Hollywood actor of my age turning down this script. You get to be one of the Three Musketeers! So I am onboard for the fun. This is a solid "B" movie and I do not care that Leonardo DiCaprio is the big name at the top of the cast list. He is a talent actor, but as in "William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet" he once again shows he does not have a feel for the diction of costume drama; but his Phillippe is a much richer performance than his King Louis. Yes, I can list lots of other problems with this film. Depardieu and Judith Godreche as Christine are the only ones running around with "real" French accents for one thing. But the film is, all things considered, fairly faithful to the Alexandre Dumas novel (by Hollywood standards) until the final act. I actually liked the "twist" by writer-director Randall Wallace and was not bothered that the survival rate of the Musketeer quarter is the exact opposite in the film that it was in the novel. But above all I liked watching Malkovich, whose ability to provide nuance into underplaying a role is exquisite and it is so much fun watching him draw his swords and have at it. Depardieu has fun as the bawdry brawler of the bunch, although the script relegates him to the comic relief part of the festivities. Irons provides the most panache of the quartet and the twinkle in his eyes as Aramis hatches his master plan to restore the honor of France counterbalances the deadness in the eyes of Athos after the death of his son. Byrne gets to play a pillar of virtue and his character is more a reflection of the good opinion of everybody else. It is only in his affection for Queen Anne (Anne Parillaud in a dignified but heartfelt performance) and his attempts to instruct Louis that his heart comes through. "The Man in the Iron Mask" is, like the novel, not a great story but more of a grand adventure.
Rating:
Summary: My Thoughts On the Movie
Review: Hmmm. I didn't really want to see it, like many of you, because of Leonardo DiCaprio. It's not that I think he's a horrible actor or anything, but I think he acts more on looks and a large fan base than good acting. Therefore, I may be biased, but I didn't find his portrayals of the twins Philippe and Louis very convincing. I just couldn't mesh DiCaprio, the cute actor trailed by throngs of screaming adolescent girls, with the cocky, arrogant Louis or the vulnerable Philippe.
The musketeers were excellent. They had good emotions and plots, and were not just supporting characters to DiCaprio, as I predicted they might be. I thought the soundtrack was too melodramatic, and the way everyone called D'artagnan "Dahr-tag-nun" bothered me too.
Rating: 
Summary: Unmasking A Good Film
Review: Based on the novel of the same name by Alexandre Dumas, THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK, is an entertaining film adaptation. France's self absorbed dictator, King Louis XIV (Leonardo DiCaprio), rules without mercy and feels that nothing can stop him. As his subjects die of starvation and disease, he finds that his greatest threat, is the truth. Louis imprisioned Philppe (DiCaprio), his twin and the real King, who now wears an iron mask. When things go too far, retired Musketeers, Athos (John Makovich), Porthos (Gerard Depardieu), and Aramis (Jeremy Irons) unite once again to free the real King. Former comrade D'artagnan (Gabriel Byrne) must make a choice, to either help out his friends, or turn them in for treason. Adapted and directed by Randall Wallace, who also wrote BRAVEHEART, does an ok job here, although there are times when the acting seems a bit forced. The best performance in the film comes from a conflicted Byrne. The action and swordplay is fun to watch and well staged for the camera. DiCaprio seems better suited for single roles rather than the dual variety. Quibles aside, the film has enough going for it, for me to be able to like and recommend the film. The movie takes a few liberties over the novel, but I have found that to be the case, with most films based on the work of Dumas anyway. The film can be viewed in either widescreen or pan and scan formats on the DVD. It also includes a commentary track from Wallace, a theatrical trailer, and production sketches of the various iron mask designs,. It also features an 8 page booklet with production information, photos, and trivia about the film. All of this stuff leaves the viewer with a good presentation...not great...but good. ***1/2 stars
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