‘The Three Musketeers: Part Two – Milady’ Reviewed

As a fan of the superhero genre, I was eventually drawn to the exploits of cultural heroes like Robin Hood and Zorro. The swashbuckling adventure genre has served as a prototype for contemporary action adventure films. However, over time swashbuckling adventure has become pegged as antiquated, overly polite, and all-around “frou-frou.” What so refreshing about director Martin Bourboulon‘s take on The Three Musketeers is his approach to gritty realism.

These musketeers have been beaten by time and the hardships of warfare — they could have walked straight out of a Sergio Corbucci spaghetti Western film. This interpretation is more accurate to the literary source material and historical time period. There’s a moral complexity and emotional gravitas given to each of the characters. The film is fast-pasted and alive with drama, romance, intrigue, and visceral fights.

Eva Green has delivered many powerful performances, but Milady may be her greatest character yet. Strong, seductive, and empathetic, Milady is hypnotizing to watch anytime she’s on screen. Just as Part One focused on D’Artagnan, Part Two is about Milady and her ultimate gambit. The saga concludes in possibly the most French way possible.

As a duology, Martin Bourboulon’s The Three Musketeers has created a new gold standard for adaptations of adventure fiction.