Avengers, The MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -1/2

Modern day England has been experiencing some bizarre weather lately with temperatures wildly fluctuating from scorching hot to arctic cold. And Britain's ultra-top secret agency, the Ministry, has called upon agent John Steed (Ralph Fiennes) to investigate the cause of the erratic weather patterns. John's adventure begins with enlisting the help of Dr. Emma Peel (Uma Thurman), a meteorological genius suspected of destroying her own laboratory. In order to clear her name, Peel agrees to aid Steed in his quest. With a certain British charm, the two heroes pursue their mission and stumble across Sir August De Wynter (Sean Connery), a former Ministry agent. Through a series of daring adventures, Steed and Peel discover Wynter's plan to control the weather with his new weather making machine. And now it is up to them to save England from Wynter's evil scheme. With its massive advertisement campaign, this comical action film, based on the 1960's British television series, is likely to initially attract a large audience, but may disappoint many viewers. Its dry British humor and overly simplified plot will not likely appeal to most adults. However, younger audiences may be able to overlook its absence of a plot and be entertained by the adventures of the British secret service agents.

Like most spy movies, Avengers is filled with explosions, car chases, shootings and hand to hand combat. But unlike some modern day action films, the violence is portrayed with a sense of style, keeping graphic bloody images from being exploited. It's refreshing to see this type of film without any implications of sex or sexually suggestive innuendoes. All the dialogue is genteel and properly British. But, at the same time, it's disappointing that Warner Brothers felt it necessary to insert one f word and a brief scene of male rear nudity just to get the PG-13 rating. Further Emma Peel is seen several times in a tight sexually suggestive leather body suit to appeal to a male audience. However, Steed does present the admirable notion of honesty and "always playing by the rules." But one f-word, one mild profanity and male rear nudity slightly mar this otherwise decent film.

Preview Reviewer: Rik Wyrick
Distributor: Warner Bros. 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA, 91552