Un Monstre A Paris

Well, it seems that this film is a paradox in its very essence, a good french animation film. A Monster In Paris is a film set in the 1910's in Paris, and is a tale about two friends, and a nightclub singer who has to hide a giant insect from the authorities. The film is a playful homage to old films, and the protagonist works as a projectionist in a movie theater, and often films his surroundings.

The voice actors are not particularly noteworthy, however talented, except for the two leads. The nightclub singer, Lucille, a woman who hides the fugitive monster, and attempts to gently reject the advances of the chief of police. The monster of the title is played by Sean Lennon, and has no speaking lines whatsoever, but sings some pretty good songs nonetheless. The film contains multiple homages to old movies, most pronouncedly The Phantom of the Opera, and the film uses a beautiful art nouveau inspired animation.

The film is a musical and the songs are a fusion of folk rock inspired and Parisian vaudeville music hall inspired songs, which feel modern yet distinctively french, and which have a timeless feel yet which still hark back to turn of the century France. The film is stunningly animated, and is one of the most beautiful non Disney animated films i have ever seen, with the film using art nouveau inspired art direction, with the characters seeming slightly caricatured, yet not repulsive, and in particular the scene in which Lucille sings with the monster, is absolutely stunning, and is possibly the most beautiful CG animation i have seen in years. Gone is the generic animation used by Dreamworks, and instead we are given something unique and memorable.

Overall I really liked this film, it is a heartwarming homage to old cinema, has a great story and wonderful animation. The story is original and fun, and the climax of the film features some simply beautiful camera angles. The film struggles to find an audience, with it perhaps being too sophisticated for children, and not containing the duality of PIXAR films, perhaps explaining the films disappointing box office returns, however it is a truly original animated film in my humble opinion, and is a heartfelt love letter to classic cinema. Rating: A-