The Three Musketeers - Family Movie Review

movie review rating guide for parents and families

MPAA Rating
PG-13

for sequences of adventure action violence

Genre
Action, Adventure, Romance

Director
Paul W.S. Anderson

Starring
Logan Lerman, Ray Stevenson, Luke Evans, Matthew MacFadyen, Christoph Waltz

Studio
Summit Entertainment

Release Date/In Theaters
10/21/2011

Movie Summary for The Three Musketeers

The Threes Musketeers continue their adventures in 3D. A young D'Artangnan joins the three Musketeers to stop Buckingham, Richlieu and the treacherous Milady. The classic story by Alexandre Dumas continues to engage movie goers.

The Three Musketeers Family Movie Review for Parents

-by Ginger

It is all for one and one for all. The name is the same, the characters are the same, but this new twist on an old classic goes a little awry from a historical standpoint. This new and updated version of the Three Musketeers has many of the same elements as the classic original, written nearly 400 years ago. Cardinal Richelieu is still controlling the land by fear and the Three Musketeers must break the populace free. Young D’artagnan must still prove his worth to fulfill his dream of becoming a Musketeer. This Parental Guide to the movies has the scoop on the new direction and new take on history rewritten.

Like the many previous versions of The Three Musketeers, the plot is filled with treachery, betrayal, romance, and lots of sword fighting…only this time, you get to wear those funky 3D glasses, just in case you want to feel like you are part of the slashing action. Set to a lively soundtrack, this action adventure will sweep you away to another place and time, well, sort of. Let this family guide to the movies explain.

This new and updated version of the Alexandre Dumas classic still tells the tale of three elite warriors who serve the King of France. They discover an evil conspiracy to overthrow the King, led by the power hungry Cardinal Richelieu. Sounds familiar so far, right? Well, not so fast movie goers. It sounds the same, and there are many familiar scenes, like when the Three Musketeers must face the other Musketeers, outnumbered in the courtyard. However, in the original, there were not any dirigibles to help them out, fantasy weapons that pop out multiple blades and other differences that separate fact from science fiction. In this respect, it is only loosely based on the classic tale. Costuming is only loosely based on period costumes also. Don’t use this one to write your history report.

Criticisms of the historical accuracy have already begun to trickle in. This family movie review does not see historical accuracy as an issue. This is a fantasy and is obviously meant to be a fantasy. Historical accuracy is a moot point in this loosely based rendition. According to the creators, the fighting scenes in this movie did not use stage fighting, they did live steel fighting and the actors really would get hurt if they were hit. There were no stunt doubles used in the film. It is all very real. In terms of being an appropriate movie for families, this movie is an action adventure. Yes, there is violence and lots of sword play. It is appropriate for young teens who enjoy this genre, but might be too scary for the little ones. The romance is limited to kissing and flirting in a Cavalier period fashion. This contemporary twist on a classic is fun and masterfully done. It breaks new filmmaking ground in terms of fighting sequences, effects and creativity.

You may also be interested in reading our Family Movie Review for Footloose just click on the link provided or browse additional movies in our Parental Guide movie guide.