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Film review

Never heard of it? There's a reason

By CHASE SHIFLET, Times X-Team
Published January 11, 2007

Few people I have spoken to have heard about Arthur and the Invisibles, a new film by French director Luc Besson. I thought it was odd that a movie coming out so soon had so little publicity. But after seeing the film, it makes sense: This is a mediocre offering whose all-star vocal talent, including Robert De Niro, David Bowie, Madonna and Snoop Dogg, can't help it.

The movie also uses live action and animation, a technique I don't like. The animation is incredible in terms of the fairy world's environment, but you can see that the lips of the Minimoys, a tribe of small fairies, and the dialogue are not in synch. And Arthur is British though none of his family is, which I found confusing.

But these are minor problems compared to what is really wrong: This movie just isn't fun or funny. And the plot is too predictable. After Arthur shrinks, he embarks on a quest with a lovable sidekick, Betameche (Jimmy Fallon), who gets all the laughs, much like Donkey in Shrek or Dory in Finding Nemo. Then there is the predictable love interest (Princess Selenia, voiced by Madonna).

Shrek and Finding Nemo are great examples of how to make a predictable movie help you forget it's predictable. This film isn't.

But since this is a kids' movie, I can understand how 5- or 6-year-olds may find it funny. But their parents and older siblings will be in for a laugh-free 102 minutes.

Chase Shiflet, 13, is in eighth grade at Rampello Downtown Partnership School in Tampa.

[Last modified January 10, 2007, 10:04:15]