Lasting nearly two hours, the film has a star cast but divided fans with its plot and special effects

An action movie which thoroughly divided film fans will air on Film 4 tonight.

Whilst some believe it’s ‘fun’ and shouldn’t be taken seriously’, others have called it out as ‘complete garbage’. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, released in 2003, sees a team of extraordinary figures culled from great adventure literature (including Alan Quatermain, vampiress Mina Harker from Dracula, the Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, an American secret service agent named Sawyer, Captain Nemo, and Dorian Gray), are called to stop a villain intent on turning the nations of the world against one another.

The film was also the final outing for James Bond actor Sean Connery, who retired after this film was released. The film was considered a box office success as it took $179.3 million worldwide against a $78 million budget, but despite its performance mixed reviews and lack of sequel interest led to it not becoming the franchise it intended.

Lasting nearly two hours, the film boasts a star cast with Sean Connery joined by Peta Wilson, Naseeruddin Shah, Tony Curran, Stuart Townsend, Shane West, Jason Flemyng and Max Ryan. However the film has been caught up with mixed reviews amongst film fans. On Rotten Tomatoes one review wrote: “Just a fun movie. For a fun time. Don’t think it needs to be taken seriously.”

Another added: “Reading through these critiques, I am reminded about just how awful critics are at finding any sort of joy or fun in life and films. This was a genuinely fun movie with some of the coolest fantastical characters in history all in one group. It’s genuinely entertaining. Find joy in life.”

“I absolutely loved it. It makes for old-school action-hero stories. Everyone speaks of the premise, how it’s boring, the action is pointless, and how it’s completely ordinary. I feel it’s because we are so desensitized with modern movies that are all flash. I for one loved it,” said a third. However some film fans really couldn’t get on board with it and panned it, as one wrote: “This is the only movie that I’ve ever walked out on, and I wasn’t the only one in the theater who had enough before the hallway part. Complete garbage.”

Another shared: “I can’t think of one thing this movie does well; it just doesn’t work.” “The League of Extraordinary Gentleman is fantastic with Sean Connery! I enjoy this movie for the action and adventure, if you don’t like there’s no talking to you! Non stop excitement and humor and great characters,” said another.

Another person posted: “Actually not as bad as everyone says it is but for a movie based on a beloved graphic novel with some of the greatest literature characters it’s rather dull.” “Messy plot and a cast striving not to be embarrassed by the amount of screenplay idiocy. Add weak direction and poor special effects in a movie that only served to bury Sean Connery’s career. It has some impressive costumes and production design, but that’s It,” said another.

The League of Extraordinary Gentleman airs on Film 4 at 6.50pm on Monday 22 December.