Rating: 
Summary: Inspired and exciting superhero film!
Review: In the superhero genre, this film scores a 4!Sean Connery, Peta Wilson, Shane West, Stuart Townsend, Richard Roxburgh, and Jason Flemyng almost jump out of the screen as some of literature's greatest heros (or villains depending on your take). Based on a graphic novel of the same name, the film provides us with an introduction to each character as any good superhero film should and then WHAM! we're in the action! Don't make the mistake that many might - that this is an action film - because, while it has tons of action, this is a superhero film! Back before there were comics, there were fantasy novels, science fiction, and horror. It is this genre that this movie (and since I've not read the graphic novel - I'll assume it as well) mines for its characters and plotline. The time is 1899, and some meglomaniac is attempting to bring the world into a world war (remember the first world war began some 13 years later). So the head of British Intelligence attempts to sign on Allen Quartermaine, the great explorer and adventurer as the leader of a group known as the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. The man who brings them together is known as "M". (Now, this mere character name flashed brightly for me as it alluded to the current cinematic version of the British Secret Service overseeing James Bond - M. Now, kids, anyone remember who played the first James Bond? - Can you say Sean Connery?). I don't know how faithful this occurrance is to the books, but, man, it struck just the right note for me. Hesitant, Quartermaine agrees and we are quickly introduced to the rest of the League (and does this "League" name strike anyone as vaguely familiar to the "Justice League" of comic book fame?): we have Stevenson's invisible man, Mina Harker from Stoker's Dracula, Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Well's Captain Nemo (really outstandingly fleshed out for us here), Wilde's Dorian Gray, Twain's Tom Sawyer are brought to life for us vividly. The streets of London are brought to life wonderfully. I loved how the science fiction aspect was developed: Captain Nemo is obviously a scientific genius and so he has advanced modern science on his own by creating an automobile (which were actually invented in around 1875 by Daimler Benz in Germany, but were not yet known widely) that looks like it belongs in the 1930's and a submarine which looks as if it is the size of the Titanic. He also has heat seeking missiles on board the Nautilus. This is all quite fantastic and farfetched - but HEY! - this is an action film of the superhero nature. Why these characters? Quartermaine is undeniably the first "Indiana Jones" of literature. Mina Harker is a brilliant choice, because she is a vampire - who can fly and transform herself - but one who can walk in the daylight. The Invisible Man is stealthy and ....invisible! Dorian Gray - well he's indestructible - but he does have his Kryptonite. Captain Nemo...well there's got to be a superhero who knows everything about everything, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde...well let me tell you that Robert Louis Stevenson wrote about "The Hulk" in the late 1800's - long before Stan Lee borrowed the concept for his comic. Tom Sawyer? He's the American version of Quartermaine and a crack shot. The acting is top notch and the storyline is really quite well developed. I want to read the books, because I've got to believe Fox was somewhat faithful to them, because movie studios routinely screw up good literary stories when they put them to film. The special effects are awesome and the storyline really works. I really loved who the villain turns out to be. I'm not going to tell you, but do remember the characters are all from Victorian literature. Definitely go see this movie! I fully intend to purchase this when it hits DVD. Loved it!
Rating:
Summary: Fictional characters ensemble more like a Marvel Team
Review: A superteam of fictional heroes taken from the works of H. Rider Haggard, Robert Louis Stevenson, Bram Stoker, Mark Twain, Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and Oscar Wilde? Sounds like it can't miss, especially when it's Allan Quartermain (q.v. King Solomon's Mines), Dr. Jekyll, Minna Harker, Tom Sawyer, Captain Nemo, The Invisible Man, and Dorian Gray. On the other hand, it sounds like X-Men 1899, or should that be The Fantastic Seven? The year, 1899. Tensions already hot between England and Germany due to the naval arms race (not mentioned, but something I thought I'd throw in, due to my knowledge), come closer to boiling point when a tank, similar to the ones that would be used in World War I, makes a raid on an English bank. Germany is blamed. A Zeppelin factory in Germany is attacked. Naturally, Britain is blamed. Worldwide consequences are foreseen, despite the fact that it's eight years before the formation of the Triple Entente. Allan Quartermain is dragged from the wilds in Kenya back to England and asked by a gentleman cryptically named M, to have a martini shaken not stirred. Kidding, but think of the similarities between this M and another M in a series of movies starring Connery. Anyway, this M resurrects the League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, comprising of unique personalities, to combat the villain, identified only as the Phantom. A lead takes them to Venice, courtesy of Nemo's ivory-coloured submarine, the Nautilus. (Cue "We all live in an ivory submarine" haha). Digital technology has to be commended for the realization of this nautical marvel. Connery puts his usual combination of charm, dignity, and toughness as Allan Quartermain. However, given his employer's name, "M", I wonder if he felt more than a trifle of annoyance at the James Bond reference. I'm not sure about Tony Curran playing the Invisible Man with some cheekiness. However, Peta Wilson, exuding a calm beauty as Mina Harker is a surprise, playing Jonathan Harker's widow with restraint, that is until she gets stirred up and goes on a red-wine binge, vintage A, B, AB, or O. She also becomes an object of attraction for the debonair Dorian Gray (Stuart Townsend), invulnerable because of... Oscar Wilde readers will know full well what I mean, and plain-speaking Tom Sawyer (Shane West). West plays Sawyer as kind of a surrogate son for Quartermain. And veteran actor David Hemmings (Barbarella, Blow Up, Deep Red) has a small role in the beginning as Nigel. Jason Flemyng as Dr. Jekyll is interesting, as he has conversations with his CGI alter-ego. Naseeruddin Shah plays the turbaned Nemo, resplendent in blue, with an air of dignified leadership. Apart from the obvious inspirations, there is a nod to Victor Hugo's The Phantom Of The Opera and in a scene in Paris, Quartermain's mention of the police trying to catch an ape owes something to Edgar Allan Poe's "Murders Of The Rue Morgue." While not a bad yarn and an interesting concept to boot, I find its comparison to a 19th century version of the Marvel Comics heroes to be very derivative. The action scenes still have that dizzying sound-and-fury effects that's become the norm in today's action movies. One positive thing I see about this movie is that it might get people to read the book from whence these characters came from. You know, book, n. "a volume made up of written or printed pages fastened along one side and encased between protective covers"? Yeah, those things! Overall rating: 3.45 out of 5, rounded to 4.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a bad popcorn flick
Review: I was really looking forward to this movie when I saw the previews, mostly because of the Sean Connery ...factor, so I was a teensy bit disappointed when it wasn't up to par with my expectations. Most of the League members are paid little attention while the movie focuses on some dumb added in Tom Sawyer character (which really bugged since Shane West was playing him and Tom Sawyer would have been well into his fifties in 1899). Some of the more intriguing characters have no chance to grow and others resort to acting as stock characters would. I would have liked this movie much better without the Mina sex jokes and with more character development to Hyde/Jekyll, Rodney Skinner the Invisible Man (one of my favorite characters from the movie, I was angry that they didn't give him more screen time), and Captain Nemo. However one must remember that The League was made to be a summer blockbuster action movie and therefore you can hardly expect cinematic genius from it. Its got great action, fun characters, and Sean Connery does kick ... in it (hurrah!). Its worth a look and definetely a rent worthy video. For anyone looking for actual substance do buy the excellent graphic novel by Mr. Alan Moore. If the filmakers had actually adapted this movie more closely to his original story it would have been a most excellent film.
Rating: 
Summary: Good [toshie]-kicking fun!
Review: When I first viewed the trailer for LXG at X-Men 2, I was interested, but not sold. They only showed Connery, Peta Wilson, the Invisible Man, Nemo and Jekyll/Hyde characters. Sean is still hot for his age, but I was looking for more Younger male eye candy. During the next few weeks I saw on TV the Sawyer and Grey characters...YES!!...I was hyped and ready to go see it! I never read the comics, and don't plan to. The movies are never like the comics...and having read X-Men for years... I still loved the movies. Okay...I was so excited to see this movie for months, and on July 11th, I was there at the theatre. I must admit I had a pre-conceived notion of what the plot might be...but they totally threw me for a loop. And I mean that in a good way. I was constantly on the edge of my seat the entire movie! Yes, it wasn't perfect...but it's fantasy...in an alternate 1899 world...I wasn't expecting "Ben Hur". My fave characters were Connnery's (loved his kicking [toshie]!) and Sawyer's (Shane West...hottie by the way). Loved their bonding, but wished more time was spent on it, but I understood...it's an action movie, and with seven characters, plus evil dudes, you can't have it all. Grey was a wicked, but gorgeous bad boy. I'm crossing my fingers he can be 'redeemed' in the sequel....
Which there better be after that ending! ...It's a great action movie...and I actually like it better than both X-Men movies. I think another hour added could've fixed some tiny plot flaws and brought in more character depth without it being boring....but hey...I was pleased with what I saw! I highly reccommend it!
Rating:
Summary: Not overly extraordinary
Review: If they let the story out from beneath all the explosions and special effects, this would have probably been a much better movie. As is, it's a decent spectacle that will hopefully, if nothing else, lead viewers to the comic series which I've heard is better entertainment. Parts of the movie are really good, but other parts aren't. A mysterious figure named The Phantom is behind catastrophic events making it look like various countries attacking other countries. He happens to manufacture weapons of mass destruction for what they are in the year 1899. This calls for a special team of heroic characters which include a vampire, an invisible man, an immortal, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It's quite a diverse group. They track down The Phantom and deal with him accordingly. I didn't have the highest expectations for this film, so I wasn't overly dissappointed, but in this summer's gauntlet of back-to-back blockbusters every week, I think it will fall quickly to the wayside.
Rating: 
Summary: The League of Extraordinary Morons
Review: I just watched this movie, and I have to say I am in an extraordinary stupor. I feel like I have experienced something so extraordinarily bad, I don't know how to express it (ok, no more extraordinary references). This movie is bad. It is convoluted, has no focus, and the special effects were very disappointing except for Skinner and his whole white plaster thing going on. Sean Connery's line "I'm waiting to be impressed" sums up the whole experience. You sit there waiting for anything to happen that could possibly redeem the movie, and there is nothing. Avoid this movie if you can, but if you can't I hope you go with an extraordinarily special person so at least you can say you got something out of it...a date.
Rating: 
Summary: So-So Adventure Aided by Connery's Presence...
Review: A British comic book with a truly novel
premise (literary characters band together to fight evil) becomes a fair
action flick that benefits enormously by Sean Connery's presence, but never
quite comes together. Part of the problem is diluting the comics mix. Sherlock Holmes' lore is
sprinkled liberally through the story, but he is NOT part of the League;
secret agent Tom Sawyer (???) is used, instead (I think the filmmakers hoped
Shane West's presence, as Mark Twain's Sawyer, would draw teenage girls to
the film...it hasn't). Jason Flemyng's Mr. Hyde is not Robert Lewis
Stevenson's nondescript but twisted alter ego of Dr. Jekyll prowling the
streets, but as big and misshapen as the HULK (hard to believe he could
seduce those London streetwalkers!) Peta Wilson is Dracula victim/vampire
Mina Harker, but she walks effortlessly in daylight (uh, did somebody forget
to read up on vampire lore?) Naseeruddin Shah is the most Middle Eastern
Captain Nemo you'll ever see, but the 'automobile' he invents is so clearly
mid-twentieth century in design and operation that it defeats the illusion
of an 1899 setting. Stuart Townsend's Dorian Gray is fun, simply as a chance
to see Townsend imitate Johnny Depp! Tony Curran offers some needed humor as
a VERY low-brow Invisible Man. Ultimately, Sean Connery, as H. Rider Haggard's African adventurer, Allan
Quatermain, carries the film, and while he's far too old to be as physical
as the role requires, it isn't as glaring a flaw as it was in his last
action film, ENTRAPMENT. He seems to be having a ball, and at times, you can
visualize him as a later-day 007, still kicking butt! Assigned by British government official 'M' (shades of Bond!) to track down
an anarchist out to start a world war, the team of specialists race around
Europe and the Arctic, facing terrorism, betrayals, double agents, sabotage,
and assorted mayhem, while learning to get along with one another. Is it
loud? You bet! Is it involving? Well...sometimes... While I feel the critics have been a bit too hard on the film, it certainly
isn't as impressive as TERMINATOR 3, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, or X-MEN 2.
It will make a fun rental, when it moves to video, tho...
Rating:
Summary: No point
Review: This movie was a disgrace to all action movies everywhere. I saw this movie the same day I saw Pirates of the Carribean, and I tell you, I was very disappointed. The movie didn't have much of a plot except that in the movie they were supposed to stop some bombs from detinating. That didn't work, so basically the rest of the movie was just to kill the guy who started the fight. I think the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide was something they should not have put in the movie at all. I did not really like this movie at all. If you want to see a good movie, see Pirates of the Carribean. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: RODNEY SKINNER-YOU MAY CALL ME GENTLEMEN THIEF
Review: Well,I watched this film and it was Extraordinary! I liked how exciting it was-and it never got boring! All the characters were so cool-and I love that car they would ride in! My sister also watched this film and she liked it too! When I bought the Daredevil dvd-and was watching the extras-one of the trailers was the trailer for The League Of Extrordinary Gentlemen! My favorite part was when Skinner first shows up-it must be fun to be insivible! And Jekyll and Hyde were also cool-how he could just change into that beast Hyde! Seann Connery also did a good job as usual! This movie is the most fun-and the most exciting movie of the summer! I also really liked Tom Sawyer-I liked the way he drove-he was also funny-along with the rest of the cast-who were also funny too! I have some merchandise from LXG-the novel-comic book-and a framed picture-and some pictures on my wall of the cast-and a another picture hanging from my roof! Im for sure gonna buy this dvd when it comes to dvd and video! I just wish I could get the soundtrack-but no it has to be able to get online!
Rating:
Summary: Only for the faithful....
Review: First and foremost, I can see how a lot of people would hate this movie. It's really not particularly good. Fun, yes.... good, no. The plot is kind of thinly drawn from the namesake comic book, and sprinkled around some fair action sequences. The addition of two characters to Alan Moore's original line-up spreads the audience's attention a little thin. And while a certian amount of camp is expected, some of the dialogue comes off as just plain bad.
As a side note, it's always curious to me how Sean Connery seems to be able to shrug off disasterous projects like "Highlander 2" and "The Avengers," whereas any other actor would spend months or years hiding while their careers recovered. No slowing James Bond, I suppose. Not that "League" is quite in that category, but it certainly isn't going to win any oscars.
I also have something of a "Tolkein purist"-class complaint: The hook of the comic book is that all of the "heroes" are villains themselves (with the exception of Quatermain). They maintain their rougish ways throughout the story. Hyde and Nemo both have an unbelievable capacity for carnage, and the invisible man (called Skinner in the movie, Griffin in the book)is an outright sociopath who brutally kills a policeman for no reason. None of the characters like, nor trust each other. These are the most unlikely heroes whose ways have not been changed, but refocused to combat a greater evil.
The movie, however, strives to lure all of these wayward souls to noble purposes, even the murderous Edward Hyde. In doing so, they may have warmed this band of scoundrels to a sympathetic audience, however they removed some of the chaos that keeps this near-ludicrous concept interesting. Now, having said all that... I'll tell you why I'm still giving this movie 3 stars: extreme loyalty to the idea. I appreciate the fact that anyone in Hollywood showed even the slightest bit of interest in this project. And as summer movies goes, it delivers some good popcorn munching action. Thus, I am willing to forgive, and even enjoy this film. As with any action movie, it shouldn't really be taken that seriously to begin with.
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