 |  | Get Showtimes... |
Review #366 of 365
Movie Review of Arthur and the Invisibles (2006) [PG] 103 minutes
French Title: Arthur et les Minimoys
WIP™ Scale: $13.75
Where Viewed: Colorado Cinemas Cherry Creek 8, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 13 January 2007
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Film's Official Website • Film's Trailer
DVD Release Date: unscheduled
Directed by: Luc Besson (The Fifth Element)
Written by: Luc Besson (Bandidas) based on ideas from Céline Garcia
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From): [note: only English voice cast included here]
Freddie Highmore (A Good Year) • Mia Farrow (The Omen) • Penny Balfour ("24") • Doug Rand (The Transporter) • Adam LeFevre (Waltzing Anna) • Madonna (Die Another Day) • Jimmy Fallon (Doogal) • Robert De Niro (The Good Shepherd) • Harvey Keitel (National Treasure) • Chazz Palminteri (A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints) • Emilio Estevez (Bobby) • Snoop Dogg (Hood of Horror) • Jason Bateman (The Break-Up) • David Bowie (The Prestige) • Ron Crawford (Dancing Ground) • Erik Per Sullivan ("Malcolm in the Middle") • Nathan Corddry (Unaccompanied Minors)
Soundtrack: Download now from 
— or — order the CD below
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
Technically the final animated film release of 2006, Luc Besson's Arthur and the Invisibles or Arthur et les Minimoys in French, was released on a limited basis in the USA just in time to qualify for nominations for best Animated Film, and it does deserve a look by voters to be included in the top five, though, strictly speaking, it is not entirely an animated film. Roughly a third of the film is live action. Whether that still counts as an animated film by Academy standards is up in the air. In any case, the animated stretches of the film and the film itself constitute one of the best blend of animation and life action in a film to come along in a very long time. Perhaps, even, the the Ant Bully people might have learned a bit from this film as the grown up big world of Arthur is live action, while the tiny fairy world of the Invisibles is animated. This makes for an imaginative and delightful combination. The tale begins with a touching birthday party for Arthur, played in live action and later voiced in animated form by Freddie Highmore, hosted by his Granny (Mia Farrow) in her spectacular home in Connecticut.
"…Arthur and the Invisibles leaps into history along with some of the most inventive and daring live-action / animated films for children ever produced."
Spectacular not in the sense of grand and wealthy traditions, but grand from a kid's eye perspectives. The home was the playland of his inventor / engineer grandfather Archibald (Ron Crawford) until he mysteriously disappeared one morning after promising Granny that he'd be off to find his collection of Rubies given to him by an African tribe for designing their irrigation system so they might use it to stave off the debt collectors. The birthday party, while lovely, was yet another birthday in a row missed by Arthur's parents. This time because they were off in the city looking for better jobs. Still, even with a broken oven, Granny provided Arthur with presents and cake, both of which will come in might handy later in the story. Unfortunately, Arthur's idyllic summer of wonderful and enchanting stories of his grandparents' travels through Africa where they met wonderful people such as the Minimoys (tiny tribes of barely visible characters) comes to an abrupt halt when the debt collectors come to repossess the house, land, and all of their belongings to build acres of apartments. Arthur will hear nothing of it though, as he promises Granny that he will not rest until their home is safe. Using his wits and perseverance, he follows clues left by his grandfather that unlocking his entry into the incredible world of the Minimoy tribe. This involves backward transportation through a telescope which not only miniaturizes him but converts his appearance into one acceptable by the Minimoys. There he meets an incredible Princess named Selenia (voiced by Madonna), her brother Betameche (voiced by Jimmy Fallon), the King (voiced by Robert De Niro), and a host of other interesting characters. He learns that the entire 7 Kingdoms are under attack by the terrible Maltazard (voiced by David Bowie), and Arthur is enlisted to help save the Minimoys from destruction. He participates in a wonderful adventure where he demonstrates heroic qualities and returns a hero. After which, he enlists the Minimoys help in his quest to find the rubies to save his Granny's home. Selenia and Betameche go on the quest with him. Along the perilous journey, they uncover Maltazard's worst and most evil plan to destroy the Minimoy, who hate to swim, by flooding their underground chambers.
While Maltazard himself and his son Darko (voiced by Jason Bateman) may be a bit too scary and villainous for really young children (younger than 5), the rest of the film is rousing entertainment for little kids with an important message for them and their parents. This is an inventive twist on a timeless tale where small size, strong wits, and a good heart prevail over might and evil. The value of thinking ahead is also emphasized. Luc Besson's imagination and the animators created a delightful world in the back yard to which any child can relate. Exceptional production values and special effects along with beautiful, ebullient animation breathes a vitality into the film we don't often see. Motion captured movements from real actors added credibility to the movement of the animated characters as well. The voice cast was stellar from David Bowie to Madonna to Robert De Niro, Emilio Chazz Palminteri, Snoop Dog, and Freddie Highmore himself. All in all, Arthur and the Invisibles leaps into history along with some of the most inventive and daring live-action / animated films for children ever produced.
While Maltazard himself and his son Darko (voiced by Jason Bateman) may be a bit too scary and villainous for really young children (younger than 5), the rest of the film is rousing entertainment for little kids with an important message for them and their parents. This is an inventive twist on a timeless tale where small size, strong wits, and a good heart prevail over might and evil. The value of thinking ahead is also emphasized. Luc Besson's imagination and the animators created a delightful world in the back yard to which any child can relate. Exceptional production values and special effects along with beautiful, ebullient animation breathes a vitality into the film we don't often see. Motion captured movements from real actors added credibility to the movement of the animated characters as well. The voice cast was stellar from David Bowie to Madonna to Robert De Niro, Emilio Chazz Palminteri, Snoop Dog, and Freddie Highmore himself. All in all, Arthur and the Invisibles leaps into history along with some of the most inventive and daring live-action / animated films for children ever produced.
Back to Top | W.I.P. Scale™ | Most Recently Reviewed Films | Films of 2005 | Films of 2006 | Films of 2007
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Other Projects Featuring Arthur and the Invisibles (2006)
Cast Members
Freddie Highmore
• Mia Farrow • Penny BalfourDoug Rand
• Adam LeFevre • Madonna 0Jimmy Fallon
• Robert De Niro • Harvey KeitelChazz Palminteri
• Emilio Estevez • Snoop DoggJason Bateman
• David Bowie • Ron CrawfordErik Per Sullivan
• Nathan CorddryWriter / Director
Luc Besson
| Book | CD Soundtrack | DVD |
| Book | PS2 | VHS |
Arthur and the Invisibles (2006) Review-lite [150-word cap]
Luc Besson's Arthur and the Invisibles deserves to be included among the top animated films of 2006, though strictly speaking, it is not entirely an animated film. Roughly a third of the film is live action constituting one of the best blends of animation and life action to come along in a very long time. Beginning with Arthur's birthday party and ending with a call upon his ingenuity and bravery to save Granny's home from an obnoxious debt collector, the film provides rousing adventure for kids of all ages. An inventive twist on a timeless tale where small size, strong wits, and a good heart prevail over might and evil, the film emphasizes the value of thinking ahead. An all-star voice cast and the engaging Freddie Highmore as Arthur help the film leap into history along with some of the most inventive and daring live-action / animated films ever produced.
No comments:
Post a Comment