|
|
|
Search Movie Review
Archives
|
|
|
| |
| Dvdivas
was founded by John Gabbard in 2000. It's purpose has been and
remains to be to provide you, the entertainment community with
the latest dvds and movie reviews. It will continue to be your
link to the most popular dvd movies. |
|
|
"The Triplets of Belleville"
|
 |
Reviewed
by: |
Wayne A. Klein |
| Genre: |
Animation
|
| Video: |
1.78:1anamorphic
widescreen |
| Audio: |
Dolby Digital
5.1 |
| Languages |
English,
Spanish |
| Subtitles |
None |
| Length |
81 Minutes
|
| Rating |
PG-13 for
images involving violence, sensuality and crude humor |
| Release Date |
4/27/04 |
| Studio |
Sony Pictures
Classics |
| Commentary:
|
Select Scene
Commentaries |
| Documentaries:
|
None |
| Featurettes:
|
"The Cartoon
According to Director Sylvain Chomet" |
| Filmography/Biography:
|
None |
|
Interviews: |
None |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
Theatrical Trailer |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
None |
| Music
Video: |
"Belleville Rendez-Vous"
|
| Other:
|
Weblinks,
Site Registration |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Jean-Claude
Donda, Dick Denoyelle, Monica Viegas, Graziella De Villa, Michel
Robin, Noel Bayne, Suzy Falk, Michele Caucheteux, Nicole Shirer,
Germaine Charest, Helen Wambolt Evelyn Snow, Ron Seguin |
| Written
By: |
Sylvain Chomet |
| Produced
By: |
Didier Brunner,
Paul Cadieux, Viviane Vanfleteren |
| Directed
By: |
Sylvain Chomet
|
| Music:
|
Ben Charest
|
| The
Review: |
An odd captivating alternate to
the generic Disney fare that has polluted theaters in recent
years, "The Triplets of Belleville" combines elements of early
Disney animation (think the 1930's), the breakneck pace of
vintage Warner Brothers cartoons and the independent animation
spirit (think of the wacky world of "Wallace and Gromit" crossed
with "Fantastic Planet") to produce one of the most original
and enjoyable films I've seen in years. Director/writer Sylvain
Chomet started working for Disney's division in Canada before
realizing that the fun and creativity had been leeched out
of the studio by their routine and formulaic product. He resolved
to create a film with a unique vision and unusual story. ***
Chomet introduces us to a little
boy named Champion and his grandmother and their unusual relationship.
She tries everything to spark his interest in outside activities
from breaking out the piano to buying him a dog but nothing
captures his fancy until he receives his first tricycle. Suddenly,
he's discovered his purpose in life. ***
As time passes, he becomes a Tour
De France cyclist. For some reason Champion is kidnapped by
a bizarre looking square shouldered bad guy and whisked away
across the water to the metropolis of Belleville which represents
all the worst possible attributes of any large, impersonal
city. His grandmother and Champion's faithful dog take off
in pursuit. They're befriended by an odd trio of jazz era
singers who insist on helping the grandmother find her talented
grandson. As they zip around Belleville, they discover a series
of odd clues that lead to an illegal betting parlor where
Champion is being held captive. ***
Any description I could possibly
give of this wildly creative, entertaining and occasionally
eccentric film would not do it justice. You have to experience
it yourself but be prepared for nothing like what you've seen
in animation before. Like the best animated films, Chomet
chosens to play with the conventions of the genre in off-beat,
funny ways that will tickle your funny bone and keep you glued
to the screen. Be warned that the animation style has more
in common with independents like Ralph Bashski ("Fritz the
Cat", "Wizards") or late period Chuck Jones shorts than with
the traditional Disney look. ---
|
| Image
and Sound: |
Kudos to
Sony for delivering a sharp, vivid picture for "Triplets". The
high definition transfer captures the beautifully rendered backgrounds
and unusually drawn characters perfectly. This is the type of
transfer one might expect with a high end Disney film (such
as the forthcoming "Aladdin" or "Beauty and the Beast"). The
nicely detailed 5.1 mix gives depth to the infectious jazz tinged
music. If Cab Calloway or Duke Ellington decided to score an
animated film, this is exactly what it would sound like. |
| The
Extras: |
We get two featurettes and both
of them are fascinating. The first "The Making of The Triplets
of Belleville" takes the more traditional approach telling
how Chomet came up with the unusual style and substance of
his film. We also get a peak into the design process and how
both computer generated animation seamlessly fits into the
more traditional 2D approach benefiting both without distracting
from either style. ***
The second featurette "The Cartoon
According to Director Sylvain Chomet" shows the charming and
bright Chomet at home demonstrating how he designed the various
characters and the came up with the personality attributes
for them. While it's shot (it's under 10 minutes), it's a
delightful look into the creative process hosted by a man
with a keen mind and wicked sense of humor. ---
|
| Commentary:
|
Although
the commentary doesn't run throughout the whole feature, the
scene selective approach works for this film. Too much talk
would ruin the charm of this great movie and Chomet knows just
when to pipe in on the difficulties designing a scene, etc.
|
| Final
Words: |
A delightful
comedy "The Triplets of Belleville" will surprise you. It may
not be appropriate for small children so I'd suggest viewing
prior to letting your kids see it. The extras provide just enough
information on the making of the movie. Director Chomet's charming,
unusually drawings and off-beat sense of humor provide viewers
with an entertaining and fun glimpse into the world of animation
outside the Disney mold. |
|
|
