The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan (Rialto) bursts onto the screen as a swashbuckling adventure of visual exhibition and charming character fair, setting the stage for a delightful second entry of this two-part saga. The adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel blends masterful fight choreography with innovative cinematography in the richly textured world of 17th-century France. D’Artagnan follows the titular character after he is left for dead in the French countryside. His arrogant honesty leads him into a web of political deception, where the future of France is becoming increasingly imperilled. The films’ action is relentless, filled with an array of magnificent scenes — romantic entanglements with Constance, a riveting masked ball, and ferocious skirmishes in the forest. While the political intrigue and dialogue-heavy moments are integral to the storyline, they require patience and attention to fully appreciate their impact on the world-building. The film excels in its cinematic execution, with extremely long takes (no doubt containing some editing trickery) and dynamic camera work that infuse the action sequences with a distinct visual flair. Musicality and choreography enhance the action, making each fight scene ever more thrilling. Francois Civil’s charming D’Artagnan anchors the movie, which stagnates when he’s not in focus, yet, for the limited screentime she has, Vicky Krieps as the Queen is showstopping, adding an authoritative gravitas to an otherwise playful film.
