The Man in the Iron Mask

Rating:
Summary: As much fun as the book...
Review: Movie adaptations of books are prone to disappointment - But not so with this film adaptation of "The Man in the Iron Mask," the third book in the Musketeer trilogy by master Alexandre Dumas.

Unlike the earlier "Three Musketeers" released by Disney (featuring Oliver Platt, Charlie Sheen, Chris O'Donnel and Kiefer Sutherland), which was aimed at a younger audience, "Iron Mask" is aimed at a more sophisticated adult audience. It aims past the raucus swashbuckling (although there is plenty of action to satisfy) and strives toward deeper character development in an almost introspective manner. From d'Artagnan's severe sense of duty to Aramis' penitence to Athos' alternating joie de vivre and ennui to Portos' fatherly love, with an underlying religous tone, the "Iron Mask" underscores the human struggle toward virtue and a supernatural code of morality.

The cast, including Jeremy Irons, Gabriel Byrne, Gerard Depardieu, John Malkovich and DiCaprio) is superb - with the exception that Malkovich's characteristic American accent seems out of place juxtaposed to the more British and French tinge of his fellow musketeers; and, more importantly, that the young DiCaprio (who has since matured) has yet to 'come of age' as an actor in this movie. The direction by "Braveheart"'s Randall Wallace is outstanding, with good cinematography and composition, well-planned pacing and a well-written and edited screenplay adaptation of the work.

Of course, the credit to the success of this movie is that the original work by Dumas is a page-turner literary classic! I highly recommend reading the complete trilogy: "The Three Musketeers," "Twenty Years After" and "The Man in the Iron Mask."

For hands-down the best translation of a Dumas work to film, I highly recommend "The Count of Monte Cristo," featuring the excellent Jim Caviezel.

Rating:
Summary: Almost A Perfect Swashbuckler
Review: This film was almost perfect. It had it all - a great plot, marvellous action scenes (particularly at the end), fascinating characters (most of them). It also had four of the best actors around - Gabriel Byrne, Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich and the brilliant Gerard Depardieu. The only thing that spoiled the film was the presence of Leonardo Di Caprio, (twice!) who for some reason received top billing over the other four actors, even though his part was smaller and his acting ability was nonexistant. I admit, he was convincing as the simpering, effeminate King Louis, but I don't think that he was REALLY acting there. And why oh why, when one of the best characters was shot and killed at the end, didn't the bullet ricochet and take out Leonardo as well. That would have made me so happy.

Rating:
Summary: You can watch this over and over again
Review: This is a great movie. I rented it and then I ordered it. It is worth your cash. It really gets you involved. It's a very touchy story of how four men can give their lives for a good cause. All I gots to say is watch it before you conclude. ALL FOR ONE and ONE FOR ALL.

Rating:
Summary: Great Escapism
Review: If you want the whole story in all of its rich texture and subtlety, read the book. If you want to kick back with your buttered popcorn and watch four truly great actors ply their craft, watch the movie. (Sorry, Leo, this review ain't about you. Congrats on "Titanic," nice work in "Gilbert Grape," but Irons, Byrne, Malkovich and Depardieu stole this movie from you and ran off like thieves in the night.)

I love the themes of friendship and loyalty that color every scene with the Musketeers. I could not get enough of the scenery and costumes. And of course, any action fan worth his theater-size Goobers will tell you there's nothing better than a good swordfight--and the movie delivers (if the scene of their final charge at the Bastille does not raise at least one goosebump, check your pulse AND your sense of adventure!). More than that, it is wonderful fun to watch these four men have a great time on screen. Watch this, them track down other films by these artists(one of the best, "Cyrano de Bergerac" starring Gerard Depardieu, is harder to find, and not yet available in the US on DVD--something I hope will change soon).

If you are the sort who loftily points out every omission and error in movie adaptations of classic literature, look elsewhere. If you want to dive into a really fun "summer" movie, come on over and pass the popcorn!

Rating:
Summary: Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and Dartagnan VS a king and his army
Review: If you're going to see this film you are going to have a blast. The story of 'THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK' is the best adventure of the four musketeers. If you don't know the first half of the story well let me tell you' A long time ago the most trusted soldiers in the world were the musketeers. But the best out of all of them were Aramis the priest, Athos the lover, and Porthos the ex pirate. But when the Cardinal dismisses all musketeers, the three musketeers will not give up their uniforms and now they are wanted by the Cardinals guards. One day all three meet a young man named Dartagnan who wants to be a musketeer like his father was. They tell him the whole story and he is sadden by what he hears but joins the three musketeers on their quest to kill the Cardinal and his guards and bring back the musketeers.
The man in the iron mask: The musketeers are the king's guards now. But a lot has changed. Dartagnan is the captain of all musketeers and his king is barbarian that only cares about himself. Athos is an old man that lives with his son. Porthos is a drunk and wonders the town for sex. And Aramis is the leader of a small group of men that want to kill the king. This movie is about the friendship of the old musketeers and how they live different lives, but at the end they draw their swords at the kings musketeers and scream 'All for one and one for all!'

Rating:
Summary: Very Good, but dragged down by Leo.
Review: Maybe we're all just being hard on him because of his annoying fans, but I think even in his starmaking "Titanic" role, Leonardo DiCaprio is not a very good actor. No, before seeing "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" and "Catch Me if you Can", I would have said that Leo was eye candy, nothing more, and this movie reinforced that belief. Why is it that every other actor in this movie can manage even a British accent, but Leo is the only American? He just doesn't fit - he's not evil enough for Louis, and he's unbelievable as Philippe. During the whole film, Leo just seems dazed. See the above movies for some good acting from him.
Now that I've got that out of my system, I must say that "Man in the Iron Mask" is a very good movie, with an interesting plot (thank you Alexandre Dumas), good acting (sans Leo, of course), and great costuming and set. This movie goes right to the point with gusto, and I liked the subplot story of Athos' son and his fiancee. With a surprise ending (for those of us who haven't read the book), and twists and turns worthy of a labyrinth, "Man in the Iron Mask" captures the viewer's interest and rewards it with a rollicking good film.

Rating:
Summary: Uneven standard, but most definitely fun
Review: A fair effort at a traditional swash-buckling adventure story that has a little more heart to it than your average action flick - unfortunately it doesn't succeed on all levels.
Set during the reign of King Louis XIV of France, three of Alexandre Dumas' four most famous musketeers are middle-aged and have supposedly left their glory filled days of serving king and country behind them. But the cruel and malicious King is driving his country into the ground, and so the three hatch a daring plot to save it, a plan that centres around a mysterious prisoner in the Bastille, whose face is concealed by an iron mask ...
So far, so good. The script is well adapted, and you can't fault the set pieces or costume design. However, the standard of acting is uneven - DiCaprio being the worst offender. He does his best, but he is caught wanting as the King (I'm sorry, but he's just too all-American) and as the pitiful prisoner Philippe is strangely bland and unmoving, whilst the monotone of John Malkovich proves inadequate to convey the anguish of Athos. Gabriel Byrne does well as the noble D'Artagnan, but limited screen time means he doesn't have a chance to fully explore the potential of the character.
On the plus side, Gerard Depardieu steals every scene he is in as the larger-than-life Porthos, and obviously has a tremendous amount of fun doing it (and has a French accent) and Jeremy Irons does a cracking job as the honourable Jesuit Aramis. The action, when it kicks into gear, is suitably thrilling, and you can't fault the film's ideals of honour, courage, nobility and friendship. Overall, quite a pleasant way to pass an hour and a half - and remember to shout "all for one, one for all" in time with the musketeers!

Rating:
Summary: Surprised at the young di Caprio's performance
Review: I watched this DVD just out of curiosity and because I had bought a DVD player after all these years ! Classic novels like those of Alexander Dumas and the Bronte sisters have always been anticipated for me to see as movies(I still have to see a great movie version of Jane Eyre). The three muskeeters represented by their respective actors were all great. DiCaprio was vividly wonderful in his portrayal as a hard-hearted tyrant and the soft-mannered and tender-hearted boy in the mask. Regardless whether he was so young for the role or not, his youth didn't hamper my appreciation for the film. I think if his performance was not commendable, the movie would have failed as a possible interpretation of the Dumas novel with all its own 'artistic' twists and turns. I recommend this for you to watch instead of all the other violent and non-substantial films out there.

Rating:
Summary: LOVE the Book, HATE the Movie
Review: If you love the book, don't torture yourself by watching this movie. It is obvious that the Hollywood has stopped reading the book, and started writing scripts from the title of the book. This movie betrays everything about the four noble musketeers, and used their names to sell a movie to their fans. There's absolutely nothing salvageable about this movie. Even the background design looks terrible. Who ever was the make-up artist for this movie should be banned from any future job. After being in stuck in prison for most of his life with a mask on his face, the prince had perfect set of white teeth and nothing hideous on his face other than overgrown hair. This movie is terrible from beginning to end.

Rating:
Summary: Movie that just left you tingly
Review: If you like the three musketeers and you like movies were they have a last stand all for the sake of honor, then you will love this movie. It basically takes place after most of the musketeers are retired, it doesn't really have alot of fight scenes in it. You basically have to follow the plot which is very good and don't forget that this movie is based off of one of Alexander Dumas's classics.

The actors maybe get a 4 out of 5, there are some scenes in the movie were the acting could of been done a bit better but that didn't ruin the movie but thats the only problem I had with it.