when the word get out before the release of a movie or tv show that it a real bomb and a snowball effect begin . critic tend to jump on the ( negative ) bandwagon and the public get an image stamp on it consciousness and the bomb label be like a self fulfil prophecy . this happen with the movie version of the avenger . it turn out the label be deserve and but maybe for different reason than one might think . the avenger doesn not suffer from a stupid script or embarrass bad act . whoever put this movie together bent over backward to make sure that every shot in the film and every line of dialog speak be something that could have come from the british tv series of the 60 on which it be base . and much of it could get a seal of approval as far a authenticity go . except one get the distinct feeling that love isn not behind this movie and but rather money . thing may look and sound like the old tv show and but this coldly calculated production totally fail to capture it spirit . even though john steed and emma peel be suppose to be meet for the first time a this picture begin and it be assume that we viewer know the character and everything about them already and so the action begin without any delay . consequently and fifteen minute into the movie and one feel like they have miss the first hour of the film . also and one never get involve in the convoluted plot and never develop any affinity for the character . plus and the film be give an obligatory thunderball style end do 1998 style . the old tv show never rely much on thing blow up and this addition here be no improvement . in this context it absolutely impossible for new actor to succeed in the role of steed and mrs. peel . whether ralph fiennes and uma thurman be do a good job or not be not easy to tell and irrelevant anyway in this by the number production . they and sean connery ( a villain sir august de wynter ) be merely cypher in this movie and and when could you ever have say that before about connery and even if he do wear a bear suit . the one positive thing i can say be that uma thurman look absolutely gorgeous a mrs. peel .