Arthur and the Invisibles (2006)

I've had the privilege of watching the worldwide premiere of Arthur and the Minimoys on Friday, December 1st 2006. French director Luc Besson (Leon, The Fifth Element) arrived at the "Yes Planet" theater in Ramat-Gan, Israel early afternoon, to attend the show. Right before the screening began, he asked the audience to open it's heart, and added something about the film being aimed mainly for kids. He was right.

Maybe it's that bitter 26-year-old guy in me that just couldn't let go of that aching sarcasm that prevented me from really enjoying this half CGI animated/half live action film. Maybe it's the fact that i've just seen so many similar products through the course of my life, that I found it heard to be excited or (god forbid) enthusiastic during this one. Whatever the cause, I couldn't help but reaching the eventual conclusion that Arthur and the Minimoys didn't live up to it's potential. If Besson had just moved one step forward with his imagination, if the twists had been just a tad more original, if the ending hadn't felt so quick and rushed - I could have had a much better time.

The plot line is easy to follow: 10 year-old Arthur, played by Freddie Highmore of Charlie and the Chocolate fame, lives in a small town with his grandmother, portrayed by Mia Farrow (Rosemary's Baby, The Purple Rose of Cairo). It's the early 1960's and Arthur, who is neglected by his parents, escapes his loneliness by hearing stories of his absent grandfather's journeys to imaginative lands. Reality, however, is grim, as Grandpa has been missing for three years and Grandma must raise a large sum of money in 48 hours, or her land will be seized by the local authorities. Determined to save the property, Arthur sets out on a journey to the land of the Minimoys, extremely small beings who live in his garden, in search of expensive rubies that can put an end to Grandma's debts. From here on out the story turns CGI, as Arthur is shrinked to the size of an average Minimoy himself. On his journey, he falls in love with princess Selenia (voiced by Madonna), befriends a rastaman underground dweller named Max (Snoop Dog) and faces the evil being referred to as "M" (David Bowie).

While the animation is colorful and filled with imagination, the plot moves so fast you don't have much time to really notice the details. Also, there are some supposedly subtle remarks about sex, marriage and corrupt leaders which I don't think are fully appropriate for kids.

Bottom Line, Arthur and the Minimoys is an OK ride, but nothing we haven't seen before. From the recent animated The Ant Bully, through the classic 1980's Honey I Shrunk the Kids, the famed story of King Arthur and even The Matrix - it's all homaged, if not copied, in this new entry.

Fmovies: This film (in it's original version) is brilliant, fun and beautifully crafted. It's sad to see how critics in the US panned that film (and viewers followed them), because so much of the story was cut out to please the average sensitive US viewer. Every comment wondering about the holes in the plot - they are just there in the US version of the film. Every comment criticizing the CG - oh, come on. This was way more detailed and beautiful than "Cars" was. Much more original too. I also have a feeling, that the fact that it is a French production added to the harsh critics. While "Cars", a really average movie get's high ratings, "Arthur and the Minimoys" bombs. Ridiculous. Everyone who wants to see this film - get the international version (also available in English).

People i don't know why they says this movie is not good, i think it is an excellent movie, and this is one of my favorite 3D Animated (oriented) movies i have seen recently, Kids will love it, so as adults and i like the ending too, i just can't wait for a Sequel, Nice animation, and funny tooo, DOn't believe in what others say, if you like movies such as "Flushed Away", "Jumanji", "Zathura", "A Bugs Life", etc, you will definitely gonna love it...... I don't wanna talk about the story because it might spoil the fun, Just go ahead and watch it, You'll thank me later for putting up this review, I hope IMDb will someday have better method of reviewing movies, and recommending movie's alike each other.

Arthur and the Invisibles fmovies. OK, I am kind of upset to see what has been out there about this movie so far. I have seen a lot of cartoons and pixar movies almost all of them and by far I think this was one of the best ones out there. I would say if this movie interested you just a little go to the movie and judge for yourself. I thought the characters were well thought out and there were some really great moments in this movie. While I was watching it I almost hoped it would never end and that I could learn more about them.

The movie didn't drag like a lot of movies do it had a great flow to it. The amount of detail put into the movie was great the large shot of the house and the grounds to the room with all the old stuff in it.To the amount of detail put into the characters clothing and there personalities.

I like that they gave you a story before the story even happened. Once in the small world it is easy to get caught up in all the action that is going on. So make your own judgment and don't listen to those people who can't stop for a moment and just enjoy the movie for what it is a great movie.

Beautiful artwork, wonderful voices for the animated characters by David Bowie, Madonna, Jimmy Fallon, Robert DeNiro, and Ron Crawford. Great to see an imaginative, kind child as hero, and see Mia Farrow act again. Arthur uses his love for his grandparents and his intelligence to persevere and save the day. (A treat for artists in the audience is grandpa's personal journal of watercolors and sketches at the beginning of the movie). The action really takes off once the movie transitions to animation, and perhaps moves too fast, although the children with me were able to follow it. The animated characters are adorable and even though they are very contemporary, and the movie takes place during the depression, kids will be able to relate to the animated fantasy characters - since they are fantasy characters, there is no reason they can't be contemporary. Overall a nice story for kids, with some good lessons for kids re: love, loyalty, perseverance, intelligence.

I hesitated to watch this after hearing some negative revues, but when I finally saw it with my 6 year old daughter, we were both pleasantly surprised. Just goes to show that you shouldn't take someone else's word for something like a movie in most cases. Anyway it was a great movie, fun for my little girl, she especially liked the fairy princess and all of the cute little creatures. I thought that it was beautifully done and I liked the whole Indiana Jones meets honey I shrunk the kids feel to it. I thought that Snoop was hilarious in the movie with his bug club or whatever you want to call it. Well worth watching especially if you have a little girl who loves fairies, and you don't want to get stuck watching something like Barbie and the 12 dancing princesses. (don't laugh it could happen to you)