Third Times the Charm!

Captain Scarlet 3 (Captain Blaggers)

“Captain Scarlet 3” is a citadel of an adventure film. It reaches out with enough grasp to mystify with its emotional scope, ranging from the felt dramatic to the rousing weaves the story makes; all the while with such a confined story told so commanded, so confidently, that it feels less a film of spontaneity, but a dictation from a tale pre=planned with the greatest care. It is both a wonderful conclusion piece, hitting all the right notes for closure, which includes all too well a stunning last scene; as well as a genre masterpiece, for how well it cements its place down with a firmness. There is no compromise here; the film has a story to tell, and characters to take care of in a manner that gives a sense of dystopian realism, and no fluff or filler is going to enter and skew it otherwise.

One thing that, especially in comparison to the last two, must be sought is whether the film takes the somewhat crass entertainment of the first, or the clever depth of the second. To me, it leans far, far and away on the latter. This is not a series that daunts the viewer with anxiety over each release, but instead, ceases to improve. Its entertainment is neither thoughtless nor disputable; as it comes in a more mature package, that of a tautness. Suspense that rides the edge, at times near falling off, as it is only hanging on by a thread. Though, isn’t this the entertainment that is enjoyable to see? For me it is anyways, as it creates a far more unpredictable nature. This film is one which feels like it can go anywhere, and does; there are no expectations or pre-set limits to what can happen and who it can happen to, and this is a feat, in which even the most disheartened viewer cannot turn away from the script because of.

As for the written words, the dialogue and the movement of conversation; it is personal to the film itself. Mostly, the conversations are exiting and easy to grip. While some can hold this in too low esteem, I would not know what they were to wish for instead, as the manner it is handled makes the story propel in every line. Yes, there could have been scenes of character building, but after two films and a series, is it needed; or would it only distract from the key of the film, it’s ever beating thrills. If I were to say any criticism on this part, however, it would be that the film only loses its ability as a stand alone achievement, at least, in part.

Branching off of the said above, I would like to bring the wheel full turn to the characters. The way they are filled with personality comes from the heart of this narrative. The continuity is marvelous, as each and every returning role seems familiar but fresh; an added layer of grit and of age. In this, I would call the films a character study in how well it, almost unintentionally, builds the characters through the slow process of a journey. We see the choices the make and how, notably the main role, feels about inner issues and duty; and knowing this, we can piece together the pieces and create a schema about their personality for ourselves. However, this film does not take its chances, and thus, a liability is laid. What if you do not enjoy puzzles, and cannot, or do not wish, to piece together these puzzles? Then you simply have a film that, regardless, will leave you bending the bars beneath your seat, not out of anticipation for the cast, but for the magnitude under which each thrill is blown up to.

The movie also has the benefit of being laid with many wonderful scenes. Certainly the scenes with the Old Man come to mind, and the clever nature regarding Scarlet breaking him out. The ending, as well, a magnificent and unexpected cut out, almost suddenly, leaving us, needless to say, shook. These are only obvious, to me, examples, in a film lines with so much more. The opening, one which immediately sets the tone and the awe to follow; the slick and careful action scenes, which, whether quick skirmishes (a la a toilet paper holder as a silencer) or a full blown scene with trucks and high suspense; it is all done with an effortless ease, and I would be stupefied to even call it action, but lets say, happenings, since action usually, in shallow thinking, brings to mind scenes of little reason or purpose.

Overall, I have not a second thought in calling it the best “thriller” on MR under the action category. Of course, “A Moral Aroma” and others are thrillers, but they, and everything else, seems so distant from this series because of how it is written and how it presents itself in a stimulating manner, utilizing full blown excitement, where as the others use pot-boiler curiosity. It comes off no less as an icon, a standing for the correct way to produce tension and anticipation. Of course, as are many, it is sad to see a series go; and sadder to see a MR revelation ending. However, what we were left with was a fun time, and that is rare, to actually become engaged in a script to the point where reading it feels less a chore and more a hobby; I appreciated that. Thus, I cannot think of a more proper statement to make then, if every “blockbuster” or thriller on MR was like this, with this amount of satisfaction, then they could all be 150 pages long, and still leave me clinging for more.

My Conclusion- The length is bound to daunt, but those who read it will be astounded in how easy it is to enjoy and how gripping it can become. A wonderful thriller in every sense.