Rating: Summary: Weird, but it gets better if you re-watch it. Review: I was one of the few people to see this movie at the cinema when it first appeared. I thought it was so bad it ranked alongside Plan 9 From Outer Space et al, and bought the DVD hoping to have a good laugh all over again. However, on second viewing it really wasn't all that bad. Okay, it's not a work of genius, but there are some good touches (e.g. the giant teddy bears, the android wasps). Like a lot of movies (e.g. Waterworld) if it hadn't been hyped and its costs publicised, I doubt if it would have created such critical wrath. Incidentally, both the sound and cinematography are excellent.
Rating: Summary: Absolutely Horrendous Review: This movie is the one of the top ten worst films I have ever seen. The story makes no sense whatsoever, the characters are very wooden (all three of them), and most of the effects were thrown in to waste money (flying mechanical bees? give me a break). This movie was a waste of $60 million dollars to the studio that made it, and it will be a waste of 2 hours of your life if you make the mistake of buying it. Please, for the love of God, avoid this movie at all costs!
Rating: Summary: Whither goest thou, Mrs. Peel? Review: I saw this movie with almost no expectations--I'd seen almost all of the '67 series on video before seeing this--but I was still incredibly disappointed. Steed and Peel don't come across as witty and smart; their dialogue seems stilted and geared to one-up each other ("I'm wittier than you." "No, I'm wittier than you." "No, I'M wittier than YOU." etc.) There was almost no chemistry between the stars, which is what held the TV show together. There also seemed to be a lot cut out as the plot really didn't explain what Prospero was about and how DeWynter's weather generating equipment would work against it. The weather equipment also seemed to work only because DeWynter said it did. Hopefully, the film industry is getting a clue and slowing down on producing films based on TV shows...
Rating: Summary: An Interesting Movie With Some Problems Review: There are several people who are critical of "The Avengers" and how differently it is from the series. I myself have never seen an episode from the series and can't say if it lives up to the original. The movie itself was good. It was more enticing to those who have never seen original episodes then to those that have, because those that have were expectant of the exact same style. Steed (Ralph Fiennes) and Mrs. Peel (Uma Thurman) work well together. There's a certain chemistry there. Steed seems somewhat cold, however. He never seems to connect with anybody on an emotional level. (The same could be said of Mrs. Peel, however, but we see her go a little crazy at interrigation. Come to think of it, they do seem to know eachother farely well. They tell eachother about themselves through the entire movie.) Connery was exellent as Sir August de Winter. The action seens were good as well, flying mechanical bees and exploding buildings and balloons. The biggest downfall of the movie, besides not following the path of the series, would be the confusion it generates. How does the clone of Mrs. Peel survive the fall? How does Mrs. Peel survive the fall off the hot weather balloon? How does Steed grab hold of the steel railing after he falls? Other then unrealistic jumps and stunts, the movie had humor, action, and class. The only issue that I have trouble swallowing was the single kiss between them, which Steed throws off as "scientific inquiry". It was a nice kiss, but unnessicary. However, if this is how Mulder and Scully are portrayed 20 years from now, I will personally go down to the studio and shove a microphone through the director's forehead.
Rating: Summary: Disappointment for fans of Feinnes ... Review: I saw this movie because I think Ralph Fiennes is a fabulous actor. But what was he thinking appearing in this stupid, cheesy flick? The actors sounded like high school drama students running lines -- there was no emotion. The plot was ridiculous. I haven't seen the original TV series, so maybe the movie was true to its style. And I know there are a lot of people who like incredibly silly movies like this (my dad, for instance), but for fans of Fiennes other films this will surely be a disappointment.
Rating: Summary: Unwatchable Review: I tried to watch this movie on HBO the other night. I could only endure a 1/2 hour. It is TERRIBLE.
Rating: Summary: Weird as hell, and terrific !!! Review: This movie was hilarious from beginning to end - from Steed's (Ralph Fiennes') first scene when he is "working out," to seeing Mrs. Peele(Uma Thurman) storm into his traditionally all-male club (the shock and horror of the members was priceless), to suddenly seeing businessmen concealed in Grateful Dead-type bear suits. This film definately isn't for the unimaginative or those who want a meathead , predictable spy story like James Bond.
Rating: Summary: Very boring. Review: The mistake made here is the movie was made as if this were 30 years ago
Rating: Summary: Not that good Review: This movie had good affects but the plot was horrible I could have thought of something better than that and I'm 15 years old.
Rating: Summary: Uma Thurman and Ralph Fiennes strike sparks as the Avengers. Review: As promised in the tie novel by Julie Kaewert the Avengers had wit, "Dr Peel, I presume," Steed drawls to a gorgeous Mrs. Peel when he meets her in the steam room of his club. The fencing scene between Steed and Mrs. Peel is similarly witty and exciting. Unfortunately the entire cast: Fiennes, Thurman, and Sean Connery were unjustly bashed. Who caused problems? The director! Chechik appears to love explosions and car chases. He cut scenes from the original script (read the book!), and then, adding insult to injury, he cut more scenes from the film. After seeing the movie, although I remembered the scene of Mrs. Peel, trapped in the same room, "The House that Jack Built." I was mystified by Sir August tormenting Mrs. Peelwhen she is trapped in his mansion. I read the Kaewert novel again. The director had cut the scene of the clone of Mrs.Peel manipulating the joysticks. Regretably, Chechik cut many scenes which advanced the plot! The romance between Steed and MRs. Peel was well filmed and acted. Again, Chechik cut a picnic scene (leaving out plot and character development). The director cut opening scenes of Mrs. Peel 's clone, leaving theater goers baffled. One bewildered French critic was puzzled whether it was a clone of Mrs. Peel or a twin sister of MRs. Peel. I was relieved that I remembered a little of my college French to read his perplexed review! The script wittily made references to previous Avengers shows, Steed, fencing with Sir August "Something nasty in the nurservy." (1968 show with Diana Rigg and Patrick Macnee) Chechik cut it as he cut so many witty lines and enjoyable scenes. The scene of MRs. Peel storming Steed's club and the attendant falling down a staircase as she coolly invades the all male domain is funny. Naturally, Chechik slashed it from the video. Anything amusing or charming he cut. I never go to movies to see car chases or explosions. Warner Brothers should have hired the director of A FIsh Called Wanda, who directed an episode in the 1960s with Diana Rigg and P. MacNee. The cast was great and the script much better than people realize. The director botched it at the box office, and adding insult to injury, he deleted more scenes thinking we want only special effects! I read the book twice, recalled the 1966 show with DIana Rigg, and read the book The Complete Avengers, plot devices. Botched editing and directing. The cast is owed an apology.Warner Brothers had the right idea: a great cast and a witty script but a terrible director. The 60s episodes are enjoyable but so is the video. Yes, I bought it after seeing the movie. I wasn't expecting Shindler's List. It was witty, escapist, amusing and I thank the cast and scriptwriter for their charm. Mr. Chechik, the audience is intlligent. Why would you delete every scene that advanced the plot? You could restore them, and re-release the video.When you have to read the novel twice, a book of Avengers plots, and recall the episode shown 31 years ago believe me it the director! I have 2 college degrees and am studying for a third. Chechik should accept the blame and apologize to the cast and viewers. Warner Brothers made a pleasant movie that would have been far better in the hands of a good director who respected acting talent, plot, and the audience's intelligence. My 10 year old nephew asked me why the villain BAiley fell to his death from the wire, but Mrs. Peel, in the same area, was able to dive into a huge pool of water. The director, again! The scriptwriter added clever character development of MRs. Peel and Steed. Steed "To what do you attribute your overachievements?" Mrs. Peel, coolly, "My father always wanted a boy." Steed "I fail to see the connection." "Really, So did he," then she wins the fencing match The scene of Fiennes near seduction of Mrs. Peel, her teasing, " I had you down as a bachelor." It explains his dress, his conformity, and the passion was satisfactory. I enjoyed the teaming of Diana RIgg and Mr. MacNee 30 years ago, and the pairing of Fiennes and Thurman looked "fine" to me! Read the book and realize that it was the director's fault that the film was good but not great!
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