REVIEW
Based -- however loosely -- on the comic book brainchild of Alan Moore, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, set in 19th-century England, follows a crazed villain, known only as the Fantom, who plans to incite a world war in order to sell his sophisticated weaponry to the highest bidder. What follows is a standard plot for what could have been so much more. The League itself is comprised of some of the greatest characters of Victorian fiction: Mina Harker of "Dracula" fame, Jules Verne’s Captain Nemo, H. Rider Haggard’s "great white hunter" Allan Quartermain, H. G. Wells’ Invisible Man and R. L. Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. Adding to this motley crew is the inclusion of two characters not in the comics, Tom Sawyer (as an American secret service agent!)and the immortal Dorian Gray. While Moore’s series had depth of character as well as a much darker tone, the film itself seems content to just assail the audience with CGI enhanced special effect after special effect. While this makes for a visually stunning experience, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen suffers from lack of characterization and a confused, predictable plot. Where Moore’s vision was clever and subversive, this movie adaptation comes off as nothing more than an effect-laden action flick. . . but it's fun nonetheless.