Les Trois Mousquetaires : D'Artagnan (2023)

Lush and epic, Bouboulon's ambitious adaptation of the classic Dumas tale achieves what it sets out to do, create a new standard for the famous story true to its roots but reinvented for a modern audience. There are some alterations to the details but the main plot is true to its source. The film fleshes out the roles of its leading ladies and sets exciting action set pieces amongst the rich political melodrama. All together D'Artangnan is an entertaining swashbuckling adventure and captivating political drama all in one. 

Be warned, the story is broken in two parts so this is just the first chapter, but the story is well structured to give a beginning, middle, and end while also setting up the next part of the story. It balances the need to be self-contained with enough to wet our appetites for what comes next. 

I very much enjoyed the way the film is an old school historical epic but with modern sensibilities laced throughout so we can enjoy its sweeping adventure story. One doesn't need to understand French history to follow the story; the film does a good job of setting out who the characters are and why they are doing what they are doing. This Three Musketeers is about preventing war and supporting diversity. But mostly its about scheming and sword fighting and romance and brotherhood. All good themes for an adventure story. 

Les Trois Mousquetaires : D'Artagnan

Starring: Francois Civil, Eva Green, Vincent Cassel, Romain Duris, Pio Marmai, Lyna Khoudri, Louis Garrel,  Éric Ruf

Director: Martin Bouboulon

Writers: Matthieu Delaporte, Alexandre de La Patellière