Many people who write comments about this film have no idea that this movie is based on a graphic novel of the same name or (since it says it on the credits) they haven't read it. One simple fact is that The League is one of the best graphic novels ever made because of its complex characters (they are based on literary works but comic book takes them one or many steps further than their literary counterparts making them deeper in the process) its clever and original story and its 19th century (although a lot different than the one we are taught about at school) atmosphere. It is sad to see that the only thing that's made it to the movie is the visual aesthetic of the comic book. First of all a lot of the characters' depth and importance has been sacrificed for P.R. reasons. In the real League Mina is the one who brings the League together and leads it and her name in Mina Murray, you see in the comic her husband was not dead, she divorced him and took back her maiden name, a thing that was frowned upon at the time and reveals a lot about her character. Oh and although it is hinted that she is a vampire (unlike the movie in the comic she NEVER takes the scarf off her neck) she is never shown as a blood sucking super-vampire. Alan Quartermain is really a broken man instead of a retired action hero in the Comic, and an alcoholic and opium addict... No wander why these traits never made it to the movie huh? Captain Nemo is (as in the book) an Indian prince fighting against the empire instead of a techno pirate and Tom Shawyer doesn't even exist... He was added to attract the American audience... On a positive note, Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde and the invisible man (he has his original name from the H.G. Wells novel in the comic) are very faithful to their comic-book counterparts. The story although a tad similar (i'm talking about the first novel since the second hasn't been released here yet) has been simplified to the point of stupidity and changed so that the screenwriters could add some fighting scenes... Let's focus a bit on the film itself now. The plot is very loosely put together but it moves really-really fast. Most of the actors do an excellent job acting and looking the part they've been given. Sean Connery is excellent as Alan Quartemain and the same goes for Peta Willson and the guys (can't remember their names) who play Nemo and the invisible man. Oh and Stuart Townsend is quite good as well... Shane West however is awful and since he is next to Sean Connery in most scenes, his acting looks ridiculous... Stephen Norington has done a good job directing but my complaint is that in some fight scenes the camera moves too quickly and it isn't focused enough to see the cool moves that happen on screen... All in all, if you're looking for something to kill a couple of hours this movie will do just that. A little knowledge of the comic-book helps a lot since it makes some things (the Nautilus's rocket launchers or the streets in Venice) look less farfetched. Oh and a note to you blooper-hunters out there, the movie is set in an ALTERNATE 19th century so don't post about things that weren't around in that period... Fans of the comic book will no doubt be very disappointed about this wasted opportunity of turning one of the best comics ever in an excellent movie. As far as comic to movie transitions go this is definetely not one of the best out there but not the worse either... Just don't have high hopes about it and you won't be (that) disappointed. 6/10
