Day 148: "You're a woman of hidden talents, Mrs Peel."

You know how every great actor has that one or two movies that they wish they could just make go away and never be bothered with admitting they had anything to do with?  The Avengers provides that unlucky circumstance for three actors.  A big screen, Hollywood-ized, awful, big budget production based on the 60's TV show of the same name, The Avengers is an object lesson in how not to bring a classic show to theaters.  Terrible script, worse acting (considering the cast, this is a real surprise), and just plain bad, the filmmakers tried to bring the highly stylized series to a new generation, and failed completely.  Just because something was considered groundbreaking in an earlier decade is no guarantee that it will do as well in the modern era.  Austin Powers would have been uncomfortable in this.  The story revolves around a psychopathic villain who want to rule the world (surprise there, huh?) and has a weather controlling device to aid him in achieving this goal.  It's up to the unflappably British John Steed and Emma Peel to save the day.  Would I need a spoiler alert if I was to tell you who wins in this particular conflict?

Ralph Fiennes is John Steed, absolutely British in his portrayal, and just as emotional.  Uma Thurman plays Emma Peel, barely.  If this was going to be the celebration of English spy style and attitude, why her?  I guess a proper English actress wanted nothing to do with this.  Is it me or does she just look really creepy when she tries to pull off sexy-smart?  Worst of all is Sean Connery as Sir August De Wynter (get it?  The weather thing?), so over the top and ridiculous, I was never able to take any part of his role seriously; and his role was INTENDED to go too far.

Just terrible and a total waste of my time, with only a couple of interesting pieces, and they weren't even THAT interesting.  Shame, I love Ralph Fiennes, and really wanted to see him in a role that wasn't high drama or a meglomaniacal, psychotic Nazi wizard.  Oh well, guess I'll keep waiting.  The Avengers is completely laughable, in the bad way.  Skip it.  3/10.

See you tomorrow, and GO WATCH A MOVIE!!