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A Monster in Paris (2011)

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4 reviews

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From Time Out London

There’s much to praise in this bubbly, 3D fairytale from French animator Bibo Bergeron. Set on the streets of Paris in 1910, ‘A Monster in Paris’ borrows some of its tics from silent cinema, but it also reaches out to films such as ‘Frankenstein’, ‘Phantom of the Opera’, ‘The Fly’ and ‘King Kong’ for inspiration. It’s a mostly enjoyable and heartfelt tale of an ill-matched friendship between bug-eyed chanteuse Lucille (Vanessa Paradis) and Francoeur, a giant, scary but soft-centered flea who impresses her with his singing voice (courtesy of Julian Lennon).

As a low-profile entry into the animation pantheon, ‘A Monster in Paris’ charms with painterly backdrops and sartorially elegant characters. But Matthieu Chédid’s catchy Latin songs and the superbly choreographed dance sequences captivate the most. A monotonous chase between a scheming mayoral candidate and Francoeur and his supporters is a low point, but not so low as to mar the film overall. It’s a kids’ film, after all, and a decent one at that.

Author: Derek Adams

Time Out London Issue 2162: January 26-February 1, 2012


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User reviews of this film

  • Jerry said...
    Posted on Feb 14 2012 19:06 It was veru gpos on the whole really dramatic
    Report as inappropriate
  • Rob said...
    Posted on Feb 04 2012 20:19 Charming film. Great music. Nice message.
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  • sammy said...
    Posted on Jan 31 2012 10:41 wonderful film
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  • Ian said...
    Posted on Jan 30 2012 21:07 A very average film made on the cheap and it shows.
    Don't bother paying the extra for 3D if your cinema has it in 2D as well because there isn't enough to make it worthwhile..
    It is formulaic and I almost fell asleep at one stage. It may be a kids film but not one that seemed to excite the few kids coming out of the screening I was at.
    If you have kids and are at a loose end then maybe go see it but there are probably better options still playing.
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UK Release: Jan 27 2012




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