With the long Easter holiday coming up, a lot of films suitable for the whole family will be released, and among them a couple of CG animations from different studios.
I have the privilege to see the preview screening of Luc Besson's latest (and rumoured to be his last) directed film "Arthur et les Minimoys". And I whole-heartedly recommend it to those looking for a quality family entertainment at cinema this holiday.
Luc Besson has not been directing since his big flop "The Story of Joan of Arc" in 1999. This partly live-action partly CG 3D animation feature is his come-back after such a long break. And this film, which he wrote and produced, showed his well-rested spirit and high energy level. It combines children's fables, action, comedy, romance, and the fifth element---his vision, into one densely-packed and fully-charged film spans merely 90 minutes.
Yes, the film is fast-paced, without a single minute wasted or bored. Not one frame can be deleted from the finished product. The editing style also gives a similar feeling. So, the audience is guaranteed for a great and exciting roller-coaster ride. Similar to Disney's "James and the Giant Peach" (Big flop from director who brought us "Nightmare before Christmas"), this film opened and closed with live actions while in the middle the adventure of Arthur in the mini-world of the Minimoys was fully done in CG animation. I think such a method is appropriately used here and to full use.
The story is pretty simple and would be easy to follow even for the very small children. Arthur, played brilliantly and suitably by Freddie Highmore (very gifted young actor of only 14 years old now who gave some stunning and emotional performance in films like "Finding Neverland"), not unlike Freddie's title role in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" coincidentally, is a good boy who originally lived happily with Grandparents (the wonderful Mia Farrow as Grandma), suddenly facing poverty and loss of sheltering, somehow entered the magical underground miniature world of the Minimoys, became a hero in that kingdom and got rich in the real world after the eventful "mini" expedition.
The voice talents include some eye-popping megastars, among them Madonna as the Princess Selenia, Robert de Niro as her King Father, and David Bowie as the evil Maltazard! The overall effect is immensely funny, hugely entertaining, and action packed. The lines are generally well written, with some very hilarious one-liners. The style is quite cartoonish and unrealistic, including the performance by the actors and the camera angles or movements.
The good thing about this film is that there would be different things for people at different age to appreciate and laugh at. In the screening I attended, all adults and children were equally having a great time, laughing and cheering. And I can feel otherwise the palpable silence and concentration of the audience throughout. Also, Luc Besson had included some moral lessons and extra touch in this apparently commercial product. Though briefly and lightly, it touches on the family value, the problem of obsessively working parents, the importance of the book knowledge above all others, the importance of environmental protection, the satirical look at the dictatorship, the mocking at the incapable but self-inflated ruler, and some more if the adults are paying enough attention. In fact, it is not simply what Snoop Dogg's character Max said in the film: "That's Entertainment!" More than that honestly.
And don't you leave so soon when the credits roll, remember to stay behind for the inventive "Curtain Call"!!
Luc Besson is already planning to produce two more films for this trilogy: Arthur et la vengeance de Maltazard (Arthur and the revenge of Maltazard) & Arthur et la guerre des deux mondes (Arthur and the war between two worlds)
