The Movievaures Time Machine: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen — A Flawed but Fun 2000s Ride

Welcome back to The Movievaures Time Machine, where I dive into films from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s to see if they still hold up — or if time has left them behind. This week’s pick? A movie I somehow missed completely when it came out: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003).

Yes — I just discovered it, and honestly? I had a blast watching it.

Non-Spoiler Summary

Based loosely on the graphic novel by Alan Moore, the movie brings together a team of legendary literary characters — from Dorian Gray to Captain Nemo to Dr. Jekyll — led by the iconic adventurer Allan Quatermain (played by Sean Connery in one of his final roles). Together, they must stop a mysterious villain threatening to plunge the world into war.

A Look at the Movie

Let’s get one thing out of the way: I was shocked to find out this movie was so harshly reviewed when it was released. Sure, it’s far from perfect — the plot is messy, the character development thin, and it tries to cram way too much lore into one movie. But despite all of that, I couldn’t help but have fun.

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen an adventure movie that actually excited me like this. It has those early 2000s vibes — bold, stylized, and completely unbothered by trying to be too serious. That’s exactly what makes it entertaining.

I get why fans of the original graphic novel might have felt let down — any adaptation comes with expectations. But taken on its own? It’s a visually rich, high-concept action film with just enough weirdness to make it memorable. The steampunk flair, the gothic undertones, the ensemble cast — there’s a charm in its chaos.

And let’s not forget Sean Connery giving us one last dose of his legendary screen presence.

The Movievaures Time Machine Verdict

Verdict: Passed!

How didn’t I hear about this movie before? It may have been trashed by critics back in the day, but it’s a hidden gem for fans of pulpy adventure cinema. If you hated it back then, I say: give it a second chance. And if you’re like me and just now discovering it — you might be in for a great time.

It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s exactly the kind of unapologetic fun we don’t see much of anymore.

Conclusion

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is far from flawless, but it’s a wild, genre-mashing ride that earns a spot in the Movievaures archive. It’s a reminder of a time when movies were allowed to be a little messy, a little over-the-top — and still worth watching.

Have you seen this one? Did you love it, hate it, or just forget it existed? Let me know in the comments — and as always, stay tuned for more deep dives from The Movievaures Time Machine.