Watch our video review for the Downton Abbey movie in the player above.
Polish the fine china, don your best fascinator, and put the kettle on because the glamorous world of Downton Abbey has finally come to theaters, giving the six-season British series a lavish sendoff that should leave Downton fans satiated. It’s 1927, and the Crawley family are hosting the most prestigious of guests — King George V and his wife, Queen Mary, which provides a provocative backdrop for both Downton’s servants and aristocracy, as they scramble to prepare for the royal visit.
Series creator and screenplay writer Jullian Fellowes’ move from the small screen to the big screen — apart from its total runtime — doesn’t try to drastically change Downton’s tried and true formula. Directed by Downton alum Michael Engler, the movie feels like a two-hour episode, which isn’t a bad thing since the show already had a cinematic aesthetic, complete with long sweeping views of the gorgeous Downton grounds, and impressive tracking shots following the servants through the bustling downstairs corridors. Accompanied by long-time Downton composer John Lunn, whose melodious tunes evoke a feeling of grandeur that’s appropriate for a film about royalty, this Downton adventure is a fitting continuation of its TV origins.
Source: IGN.com Downton Abbey Review