A Monster in Paris (2011)
"Un monstre à Paris" (original title)

A 3D-animated movie set in Paris in the year 1910 and centered on a monster who lives in a garden and his love for a beautiful, young singer. Paris.

Director:

Bibo Bergeron

Writers:

Bibo Bergeron, Stéphane Kazandjian (screenplay)

Stars:

Mathieu Chedid, Vanessa Paradis, Gad Elmaleh

2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Mathieu Chedid	...	Francoeur (voice) (as M)
Vanessa Paradis	...	Lucille (voice)
Gad Elmaleh	...	Raoul (voice)
François Cluzet	...	Le préfet Maynott (voice)
Ludivine Sagnier	...	Maud (voice)
Julie Ferrier	...	Madame Carlotta (voice)
Bruno Salomone	...	Albert (voice)
Sébastien Desjours	...	Emile (voice)
Philippe Peythieu	...	(voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bob Balaban	...	Pâté (voice)
Paul Bandey	...	Narrator / Newsman / Policeman / Journalist (voice)
Jodie Forrest	...	Madame Omelette (voice)
David Gasman	...	Clerk (voice)
Adam Goldberg	...	Raoul (voice)
Matthew Géczy	...	Albert (voice)

Storyline

Paris,1910. Emile, a shy movie projectionist, and Raoul, a colorful inventor, find themselves embarked on the hunt for a monster terrorizing citizens. They join forces with Lucille, the big-hearted star of the Rare Bird cabaret, an eccentric scientist and his irascible monkey to save the monster, who turns out to be an oversized but harmless flea, from the city's ruthlessly ambitious police chief.

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Plot Keywords:

monster | belle epoque | city name in title | paris france

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Fantasy | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some action violence involving gunplay, and mild rude humor

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [fr] (French, English)

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

12 October 2011 (France)

Also Known As:

A Monster in Paris

Box Office

Budget:

€25,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

EuropaCorp, Bibo Films, France 3 Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Projector: A Monster in Paris (2012)

User Reviews

Awkward concept that almost works.

This is not quite Pixar, but not quite awful either. It goes for a polished look similar to what we've seen in mainstream American animation, with the soft-lit cartoonish CG similar to that of Dreamworks and Pixar, and comes very close to matching their visual flair despite a more modest budget. It's pretty clear that they're hoping for commercial appeal rather than art-house obscurity here, but the film wants to have it both ways, mixing clichéd humor and characters with artistic flourishes and occasional moments of brilliance. There should be more than enough here to appeal to kids.

It's a pleasant enough experience overall and ultimately it wins you over ... but at the same time in a lot of ways it doesn't quite make it. For starters the whole story concept is painfully contrived. But this much is clear even from the shortest synopsis, so I was prepared going in.

Among the highlights of the film are the many appealing visuals drawn from the period Parisian setting. Another highlight is the rich musical score. These almost make the film a cut above, were it not weighed down by some of the more mundane elements.

On the whole it's flawed, but it does have its moments, and is worth a look.