Back to the Story: Top 10 Characters in “The Three Musketeers - Part I: D'Artagnan”

Alexandre Dumas excels at stories of chivalry, skillfully combining them with history, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the enchanting charm of legends intertwined with history. As one of Dumas' representative works, "The Three Musketeers", this widely acclaimed classic, has been popular worldwide and has been adapted in various forms countless times.

Due to the widespread recognition of his works, a new film adaptation is not just about filming the well-known story. The greater appeal of this film lies in how it shapes those iconic characters and whether it can make the current audience appreciate their unique charm.

The overall style and quality of the new film "The Three Musketeers - Part I: D'Artagnan" are generally satisfactory, with a significant amount of production costs invested to achieve a very high standard in costumes, makeup, props, and other aspects. As a French production, various palace interiors and exteriors are essential. The daily atmosphere of the musketeers in the Treville household, the splendid Parisian palaces, the luxurious royal demeanor, the dirty and chaotic urban environment, and the grassroots’ life where it seems like everyone never bathes all depict the era of Louis XIII that we imagine.

Here are some reviews of 10 characters in the film:

1. Milady:
Eva Green, with her sexy and enchanting demeanor, is undoubtedly an excellent choice to portray the classic femme fatale created by Dumas. In this first installment, although her screen time is not particularly extensive, she still leaves a deep impression. Her disguise as the mistress of the house and her teasing and taunting of D'Artagnan already achieve the effect of deception.

Her clever theft of Buckingham's diamond necklace is also very alluring and skillfully executed. The two times she is defeated by D'Artagnan can only be attributed to him possessing the aura of a protagonist while she does not (although in the original work, Buckingham's response is more admirable due to power and wealth).

Don't be surprised when you see Eva's exit in the film, as she comes back in the post-credits scene, and the name of the second installment is "The Three Musketeers - Part II: Milady". Undoubtedly, her role will be greatly increased in the second installment, including two bed scenes with D'Artagnan, her seduction of Felton and her ultimate demise.

I would give Milady a score of 9. Eva has already done an excellent job in this role, but I deducted one point because I have more expectations for the next installment.

2. D'Artagnan:
This version of D'Artagnan is unexpectedly good, with his cunning, pure love, and impulsive personality all well portrayed. Unfortunately, due to the limitations of the film's length, it cannot depict as many details as the original work. How Dumas quickly makes the audience fall in love with the protagonist through the story is exceptionally well done. I would give D'Artagnan a score of 8.

3. Athos:
Vincent Cassel is a bit too old for the role of Athos in this version. He could almost play D'Artagnan's father. Apart from that, his temperament and acting skills are on point, conveying the sense of a high noble. Due to the film's limitations, his background is not hidden but directly presented to the audience. I would give Athos a score of 7, with the deduction mainly due to his age.

4. Aramis:
The mysterious mistress of Aramis, who was highly anticipated in the original work, does not appear, but a scene depicting his character's internal struggle is added, which I think is a very creative setting. I would give Aramis a score of 7.

5. Porthos:
His appearance is basically consistent with the character, but he has slightly less screen time. I would give Porthos a score of 6.

6. Le Cardinal de Richelieu:
The Cardinal is a character I personally like very much. The Cardinal depicted by Dumas in "The Three Musketeers" is also my initial understanding of Le Cardinal de Richelieu. At first, I thought he was a villain, but as the plot unfolds, he seems more like a powerful statesman, and I am even attracted to his extraordinary charm.

This version of Le Cardinal de Richelieu is visually accurate, and the actor shows the aura of an antagonist through his performance. However, the script does not demonstrate his true abilities as the mastermind behind France becoming the foremost power in Europe, nor does it showcase his unique personal charm as depicted in the novel. I would give Le Cardinal de Richelieu a score of 5.5.

7. Louis XIII:
The performance is excellent, and he exudes a flawed personality while embodying the power and authority of a king. The portrayal of his complex relationship with Le Cardinal de Richelieu is also well-executed. I would give Louis XIII a score of 9.

8. Queen Anne of Austria:
Graceful, dignified, a true "Queen." Unfortunately, she is not that beautiful. I can't forget Alexandre Dumas' detailed description of Queen Anne's beauty in the original work, so my high expectations led to a disappointed sigh when the queen appeared. I can only regretfully give her a low score of 4.

9. Constance:
This version of Madame Bonacieux is a pleasant surprise. She is lively, playful and adorable as the royal maid and the protagonist's lover. She keeps us captivated in this film and allows us to experience the heart-fluttering romance between a young man and a young woman. The score for this character is 8 out of 10.

10. Duc de Buckingham:
Like the Cardinal, the actor's performance is not a problem. However, that overwhelming power, immense wealth, and dashing charm are not as impressive as depicted in the original work. It falls short of expectations. The score is 5.5 out of 10 as a result.

Overall, the film adaptation of "The Three Musketeers - Part I: D'Artagnan" is visually stunning and captures the essence of the era. The portrayals of the main characters are generally satisfactory, with some minor shortcomings. Despite this, the film still manages to entertain and captivate the audience, leaving them eager for the next installment.