The smaller the screen, the better they look.I read that a basic cable series (hour-long format) is in the works for The Librarian franchise. Unlike Spielberg and his big-time budget, the special effects here are pretty cheesy computer graphics. Noah is sent on a major quest in each episode, with magic-wielding villains to overcome and a sexy babe as his companion.This third one is the darkest, I suppose, what with vampires in New Orleans (where did they come up with that, I wonder?) and Russian mafia types. Except the Library has not only a collection of fantasy icons from the past (from the bible to King Arthur to Grimm tales) but also wizard-like magic straight from Harry Potter. Noah Wylie wears Indy clothes and works for a 'library' that is much like Indy's museum.
It is not bad for a lazy Sunday afternoon, if you have other things to do indoors to distract you.As many have already noticed, it is a blatant riff or rip-off of the Indiana Jones franchise, except set in today's world.
Cook with just enough sex and violence to pass basic cable standards, but no bad language, so reruns can occur on broadcast TV on weekend afternoons when there is no sports game.As I write, this, the third installment of the Librarian, is up in a 6 hour marathon of the trilogy on a Turner station. Leaven with 2 aging but able sitcom stars of the 1980's.
For a villain, cast a recognizable but unnameable TV actor from the last century. In each installment cast an affordable exotic beauty in her late 30's. For a leading man, star a young TV veteran from a hit melodrama of the last decade. You take 3 parts Indiana Jones, 2 parts Harry Potter. Overall, very enjoyable and the best of the series. Jane Curtin and Bob Newhart continue to steal the film with their subtly deadpan delivery, while Noah Wyle is at his most natural and likable, Stana Katic is the first female lead to not feel out of place or bland, she is sexy and with some steel, and Bruce Davison is also enjoyable. The dialogue has its witty and clever moments rather than the tired humour of the first two, and the story while somewhat derivative is actually exciting with some thrilling set pieces. However, the photography and scenery are splendid, and the score is suitably rousing.
It may not be perfect, the effects range from decent to excessively mediocre, some of the explanation of the plot points was rather obvious and unneeded and some of the supporting cast are still underused so that they can't do much with their roles. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, the third in the series. The second is an improvement but is pretty much the same. The original movie was not terrible and had its moments, but I did find it lacking. When Simone reveals that she is a vampire, Flynn question whether she is not using him to reach the chalice and increase her power. Also to raise an army of undead to bring Russia back to the top of the world. Meanwhile the former Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Kubichek is seeking the chalice to revive Vlad the vampire with the support of Professor Lazlo. However he discloses that she is the guardian of a key to access the Judas Chalice that is capable to resurrect vampires. Flynn travels to New Orleans and he has a crush on a French singer (Simone Renoir). Charlene and Judson ask him to spend some time on vacation. After retrieving the philosopher's stone at an auction but losing his girlfriend, The Librarian Flynn Carsen has a breakdown.