Fans of Alexandre Dumas' work might be surprised by the twists and turns in the second part of the French adaptation of "The Three Musketeers". In the sequel, titled "The Three Musketeers – Part II: Milady", some characters are killed off, others spared, and loyalties that have stood for nearly two centuries in the original novel are re-envisioned.
The sequel, directed by Martin Bourboulon, maintains a theme of loyalty to the crown and to each other with its iconic characters Athos, Porthos, and Aramis played by French actors Vincent Cassel, Pio Marmaï, and Romain Duris. The fascinating narrative begins with the fourth musketeer, D’Artagnan, played by François Civil, discovering that his most promising ally in rescuing his kidnapped beloved is the infamous Milady, portrayed by Eva Green.
The character Milady has been significantly reimagined by screenwriters Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière, making her a victim of mistreatment and misunderstanding. Consequently, the film addresses contemporary socio-cultural issues while humanizing a character that has been, for years, shown as one of literature's greatest female villains.
Despite the exciting characterization and innovative action sequences, the sequel has not been as popular as desired. While it performed well in France, a 25% decrease in audience attendance was noted between the first and second parts. Outside France, the film did not enjoy much success, which is disappointing considering its potential to provide an alternative to the predominantly comic-book driven American franchises.
American viewers who appreciate stunning cinematography and diverse scenery will find the film’s use of historic locations in France and Buckingham Manor in England appealing. The film will need a clever marketing strategy to attract a wider audience and become a phenomenon like the hit film "Parasite", but it definitely has the potential to satisfy a niche entertainment need underfilled by American films.
