2011, Europacorp
Animation
Rating: PG
Approx. 90 mins.
THE STORY:
Emile (Jay Harrington) is a projectionist who dreams of making films and of winning the heart of his co-worker, Maud. His timidity is compensated for by the gregariousness of his best friend, Raoul (Adam Goldberg), a delivery man with a penchant for invention. One day, while making a delivery to the house of an absent professor, Raoul accidentally mixes some mysterious potions with disastrous results: a monster is born when a tiny flea is transformed into a giant.
Soon, the residents of Paris are living in fear of the monster they think is out to terrorize them. One person who knows different is Lucille (Vanessa Paradis), a cabaret singer who takes pity on the pathetic figure. She discovers that the creature, whom she names Francoeur (Sean Lennon), is very musical, and he becomes a fixture in her act. Emile and Raoul have realized that their mishap created the 'monster', and recognize Francoeur as their creation. Unfortunately, it is not long before others, including the evil and self-serving commissioner (Danny Huston), do as well.
Lucille, Emile and Raoul do their best to protect Francoeur from the forces out to destroy him. In the end, the guys get the girls, Francoeur gets to continue making music, and the people of Paris realize that they have nothing to fear from the so-called 'monster'.
Soon, the residents of Paris are living in fear of the monster they think is out to terrorize them. One person who knows different is Lucille (Vanessa Paradis), a cabaret singer who takes pity on the pathetic figure. She discovers that the creature, whom she names Francoeur (Sean Lennon), is very musical, and he becomes a fixture in her act. Emile and Raoul have realized that their mishap created the 'monster', and recognize Francoeur as their creation. Unfortunately, it is not long before others, including the evil and self-serving commissioner (Danny Huston), do as well.
Lucille, Emile and Raoul do their best to protect Francoeur from the forces out to destroy him. In the end, the guys get the girls, Francoeur gets to continue making music, and the people of Paris realize that they have nothing to fear from the so-called 'monster'.
QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:
- butt
- idiot
VIOLENCE:
- some gun action and shooting, but no one is killed or hit
- one character appears to fall to his death, but shakes it off in the next scene
TEACHING POINTS:
- accept others for who they are, not for what they look like
- don't be afraid of the unfamiliar
THE UPSHOT:
Although the film does buy into the Disney formula in some respects-- the female body aesthetic, the everyone lives happily ever after coupling at the end-- there is a lot to like about this movie.
Despite the fact that the original voice track is French, the English voices are good and the script does not come across like a forced translation. The messaging is positive and effective, the music is highly listenable, and the pacing is good. The most intelligent, compassionate and proactive character is a woman, who is both independent-minded and talented.
But my favourite thing about this movie without a doubt is the setting and the art direction that renders it so impeccably. The story takes place in Haussmann's Paris not long after the turn of the century, and the animation really captures its magic. We get a real taste of the spirit of the times: the longing for progress, the capacity for innovation and the recognition of the potential in everything. This is one case in which the setting is almost a character in and of itself.
The 5 year-old in the room enjoyed it, but did get upset near the end when Francoeur appears to be killed. There were some tears until the flea reappeared no worse for wear. In the end, all the unpleasantness was forgotten, however.
Despite the fact that the original voice track is French, the English voices are good and the script does not come across like a forced translation. The messaging is positive and effective, the music is highly listenable, and the pacing is good. The most intelligent, compassionate and proactive character is a woman, who is both independent-minded and talented.
But my favourite thing about this movie without a doubt is the setting and the art direction that renders it so impeccably. The story takes place in Haussmann's Paris not long after the turn of the century, and the animation really captures its magic. We get a real taste of the spirit of the times: the longing for progress, the capacity for innovation and the recognition of the potential in everything. This is one case in which the setting is almost a character in and of itself.
The 5 year-old in the room enjoyed it, but did get upset near the end when Francoeur appears to be killed. There were some tears until the flea reappeared no worse for wear. In the end, all the unpleasantness was forgotten, however.
4/5
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