Friday, March 15, 2013

A Monster In Paris



Every once in a while an excellent animated movie comes along that comes and goes quickly in the movie theaters.  It’s a mystery to me.  A Monster In Paris is just one of those movies.  I don’t even remember it playing in my local movie theaters.  And that’s a shame.  It’s a great movie with wonderful animation, memorable characters, incredible environment vistas, clever effects and gags and spot-on voice talent.

A Monster In Paris is set in Paris during the 1910s.  The EuropCorp/Bibo Films computer animated film is a real eye-pleaser and family-friendly film that encourages friendship, keeping an open mind, tolerance, love and loyalty.  The line drawn between good and evil is firmly etched and the story harkens back to the classic story of Beauty and the Beast.

When a bubble-brained, would-be inventor and his timid, shy, camera-crazy friend and a monkey (who seems to be the smarter of the three) accidentally cause mayhem when they stumble and bumble their way through a mad scientist’s laboratory disaster ensues.


The resulting accidentally mixture of chemicals (and who knows what else) occurs a small flea is transformed into a man-sized monstrosity which, despite its horrific appearance, is a gentle soul with a talent for song and dance.


Named Franc, the oversize flea becomes a friend of the beautiful nightclub singer Lucille, who despite the monster’s appearance sees though to Franc’s soul and musical talent and the two become Paris’s new entertainment sensation.


But, the city’s egotistical police commissioner is hell-bent on securing his run as mayor so he decides to capture and destroy the ‘Monster in Paris’.

What results is a cat and mouse game between Franc and his new friends who swear to protect him from the police commissioner and promote his musical career.


What a delightful film!  The entire family will enjoy each and every moment and even the most hard-hearted are sure to shed a tear and have their hearts moved with this heart-felt and touching film.


Shout! Factory has just released the new ‘A Monster In Paris’ Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy Combo Pack that is filled with humor, pathos, song and dance and so much more.