A Monster in Paris (2011) (Dubbed)

In Brief: A projectionist and a Near-do-well Delivery boy, drop off some equipment at a Botanist/Scientist greenhouse in a slightly flooded 1910's Paris. Fooling around with some of the equipment, they Accidentally, with the assistance of Charles the servant Monkey, set a 7 foot tall Flea loose on the city. All the while a Ambitious Police Chief tries to woo a Singer, and capture the Gentle singing beast.



A Monster in Paris feels like a call back to some older animations of Disney's past (at least, that's how i feel). It's lively, tries to hit all bases with a little romance, a little music, a little action and a bit of humor. It's a fun, inoffensive romp, that never really rises above being anything that's good.
The story is more or less as before the break, with the exception of the Flea beings an amazing Singer that Lucile befriends and hides under a coat, a hat and a mask, and sing and dance and make merry.

Christophe Lourdelet Character design works well, but with the exception of one supporting character and maybe a background character or two, it really lacks some of the unique style typically scene in french animations. If its something that doesn't translate well into a 3D animation from the 2D cell, i don't know. They look great still, and of a quality that's broaching on Pixar quality. They've been animated well, i can't think of a scene where thinks looked jittery or rushed.
Touching on that as well, very few of the characters have European accents, or at least strong ones. It's kinda disappointing. Again, you can make arguments for why they don't have stronger ones (an English dubbed film, aimed at children who will probably have trouble understanding it). The actors do a suitable job, with Vanessa Paradis keeping her staring role of the Singer Lucile (
Who seems to be modeled after her actor) probably being the standout. Adam Goldberg brings his typical sharpness and laid back energy to his role, and Sean Lennon does well with his limited singing role as Francoeur.
The 3D is hardly used for more then perspective, never leaving the 'window' of the screen, as most films are now days. It's always a nice effect, and its nice to see Paris outside a window, but it doesn't really add anything.
A Monster in Paris is a nice little film, if a little on the forgettable side. It shows potential, but never really rises past that. Still, worth seeing, and i wouldn't mind seeing it again.