The Three Musketeers touches on the timeless themes of integrity, a sense of duty and brotherhood but also includes kick-ass sword fights and more than its fair share of damsels in distress. With this new (2023) take on the classic, The Three Musketeers – Part I: D’Artagnan and Part 2: Milady, it’s fitting to be shepherded by French director and second-generation movie man Martin Bourboulon.

These two films were major productions in France and as such feature extravagant budgets and large casts with big stars. In keeping with its country of origin, the accuracy of its look is paramount and Bourboulon and cinematographer Nicolas Bolduc were unafraid to set the action in dark and dangerous surroundings. They have created a world best seen in a very dark room so you can revel in the minute detail. It is also unsentimental when dispatching some of its main characters.

Having never had an issue with sub-titles, it must be noted that this is a work that was made for many markets in the world and as such the act of reading to keep up is very easy as the screen is never overcrowded with text. The emotional content is also very apparent by the actor’s skill. Thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish, this level of entertainment demands the viewing of its sister part two Milady, which will be released in Aussie cinemas June 6!
Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/Palacecinemas/

I’ve read director Darren Aronofsky sees this as a companion piece to his 2008 film, The Wrestler and it’s easy to see why. Both are an examination on the extremes one will go to for their art. However in this case he ramps things up visually and thematically into a full-scale assault on the senses. This film engenders absolutely no passive feelings.

The demand Aronofsky places on the audience is a mirror of the demands he placed on his cast members and the two main actors turn in outstanding performances. Portman’s excellence is not a great surprise (once she tackles a script worthy of her talents) but Mila Kunis is a revelation. Who though the TV actor could so effectively throw off the shackles of being cute and become so dangerous?

Even though it’s early in the new year, what better way to add that first entry to your best of list than Black Swan. It’s an experience that will resonate for a long time.

Rob Hudson
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That is does so in such a duplicitous manner speaks more of the originality of Ridley Scott’s masterpiece than it does of director William Eubank’s lack of imagination. The film’s overriding and repetitive flaw is the implausibility of almost all of the scientific details. It demands an almost superhuman suspension of disbelief.

There are more than a few successful jolts to the system as things jump out at you but the murkiness of all of the underwater scenes defuse a great deal on the visual impact. There are also an abundance of moments that attempt to put the slight story in a larger context that seem to be tacked on after the fact.

Building a film around Kristen Stewart is always a risky endeavour as her range is limited to a very few scenarios. Actual scary horror is not one of them. She does however do a remarkable job of keeping her eyeliner intact, even the scariest monster from the deep could do little to smear the sparkly goodness. See Underwater for the few thrills it delivers and know that afterwards deep water with hold no fear.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/foxmoviesaus

As an action piece, it gets the job done but as a proper Jason Bourne movie, it’s quite the disappointing experience. Gone are almost all the clever ways Bourne can extract himself from trouble and in their place are just Teflon walks in the park. Moments where no real menace can really stick.

He gets out of almost every jam with just brawn and no brain. Julia Stilles is very much underutilized as well and sadly exits early and takes with her the only character that links Bourne to a friendlier past. In the place of proper story telling are a series of spectacular action sequences that not only strain the law of physics to their breaking point but also tend to wear the viewer out. Pokemon Go

If this edition reignites the franchise that will be a good thing because Matt Damon fills this role splendidly when given something to really sink his teeth into. Next time out let’s hope for far more intrigue and much less outlandish action.

Rob Hudson
www.jasonbournemovie.com.au

Alexander is like any other kid: playful, curious and naive. He is also a trained assassin. Raised in a hidden paradise on the outskirts of town, Alexander has grown up seeing the world through the eyes of his father, Gregori. As Alexander begins to think for himself, creeping fears take shape and Gregori’s idyllic world unravels.

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Competition will be drawn 27 May 2015, winners will be notified by mail.