Renaissance Details

Performance Art

A sci-fi, film noir, shot entirely in stark black and white linier graphics, designed to replicate the style of cult French graphic novels, was never going to ring everyone’s bell.

Filmed using the modern animation technique of motion capture, the gorgeous visuals and breathtaking imagery almost, but don’t quite excuse this film its clichéd plot.

The style is certainly ground braking and interesting enough to make the film a worthwhile watch, as we travel through a bladerunneresque Parisian futurescape, but the lack of anything meaty plot wise leaves one feeling a little short-changed.

Huge on style, empty of any real content only the most avid animation fan will want to see this through to its conclusion.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Black and White

The graphics in this cartoon film are truly impressive and what makes it. Based on the “graphic novels” (cartoon books to you and me) popular in France, it has stark contrast of black and white, with not many shades of grey. Paris in 2054 is remarkably like 21st Century Los Angeles in Blade Runner (with a bit of Metropolis thrown in) and the film can be visually stunning. Then there’s the story: tough he-men, sexy kick-ass women and conspiracy theories. Everything you would expect in an adventure comic book; black and white, with not many shades of grey. If you are into this sort of stuff, you will love this film. I found the story line hackneyed and ultimately, boring.