The Three Musketeers: Part I - D'Artagnan

This film is gorgeously shot by cinematographer Nicolas Bolduc. It opens with a take-no-prisoners fight in the rain and mud that includes D’Artagnan and Milady and sets the scene for all that is to follow.

What this installment energetically proves is that you can ruffle the feathers of a totemic tale and still capture what’s good, galloping fun in Dumas’ storytelling.

Dumas was a master of the serial form, and this version of “The Three Musketeers” manages to preserve that thrill-to-thrill sensation.

The production values are exquisite, the cinematography gorgeous and the fighting sequences exciting. It’s on a par with Richard Lester’s 1972 version, and that is saying something.

Dumas’s classic novel finally gets an epic adaptation worthy of its scope, rendered in delicious French by its dangerously sexy cast.

This lavish period drama taps enthusiastically into the spirit of the source material.

The movie is enjoyable, filled with swashbuckling and banter, and concentrates on presenting the 1600s with realistic grit and filth, and on the intrigues of the palace and the clergy in all their double-crossing detail.

This star-studded bromance is just the sort of swashbuckling silliness we need.

... A movie that’s otherwise a mostly well-made, rousing adventure that’s probably worth a look.

Forget the mixed-bag of Hollywood’s ‘70s, ‘90s and 2011 takes on Alexandre Dumas’ tale, this is the real crowd-pleasing deal. Boasting lashings of action, political scheming and romance, this gripping adventure will have you hooked from the first frames.