So
it has come to my attention that comic book movies are all the rage during the
summer. Heck, they are so popular that it is for these films are evolving into
a multi-billion industry. Captain
America: Civil War and Deadpool
are undeniably fun films but I also enjoy the films that are made in reaction
to said comic-book films. At the 2016 Florida Film Festival, I had the pleasure
of watching two French animated films that play with the style and tone
colorful of comic book adventures that provide nice alternative programming to
the latest blockbusters.
Phantom Boy
Phantom Boy is a fun little film that is
unique hybrid between 1920s French serials and modern super heroism drawn in
the style of a children’s book. The film is a about a young cancer-stricken boy
who can become a ghost whenever he sleeps. He uses his powers to fly around New
York City and spy on his family but once a Picasso-faced fiend hacks the city
he joins a cop and reporter in order to save the day. The story is a brisk
adventure at heart but it becomes very dramatic when it explores the child’s
disease. One scene where the boy uses his power to spy on his mom right after she
visit him in the hospital is rather gut wrenching. The drama itself is a bit
formulaic, however this does not diminish the classic thrills and humor that Phantom Boy provides in abundance. Regardless
whether one prefers Judex or Iron Man, this is the type of film that
can recall the magic of playing masked vigilantes as a kid.
April and The Extraordinary World
In
contrast, April and The Extraordinary
World is a rather ambitious piece of odd and marvelous spectacle. Based on
the comic stories of Jacques Tardi, the film is a hand-drawn adventure that
takes place in the 1940s, yet the world still fueled by coal and steam, and famous
scientists are going missing. When a conspiracy reaches April, aspiring
scientist and hero, enlists the help of a thief named Julius and her talking
cat Darwin (it makes sense in context) and goes on a wonderfully strange
journey to save the day. The story
is too hectic to for a summary to do it justice but what is clear that the film
is pure sci-fi bliss, loaded with steam-punk machinery, laser beams, and two
Eiffel Towers all sketched with vibrant style that evokes Tintin, Dick Tracy
and Studio Ghibli. The storytelling is also stellar as it can dynamically blends
comedy and intense action without losing rhythm.
The
escapism alone makes the film worth seeing yet what is so fascinating how it is
anchored on humanity’s relationship with science. It is shown that science is
not inherently evil, but a tool that could be used for violent means by the fearful
and ignorant. However when treated
with care and respect, science can heal the world. It is a refreshing take on a
classic Sci-fi dilemma, especially in a time when even the best superhero films
still use science stuff as a means to heroically punch people down.
As
of this writing, neither film is out on video or streaming yet, which makes
them difficult to find for now, I’ll try to keep track of release schedules.
However, this is also a good time as any to check out your local independent theaters
or film festivals where films like Phantom Boy and April and the Extraordinary
World thrive. Sure one has to deal with subtitles but these are just as fun, as
any superhero film released this year, if not more. Besides, buying tickets to a
family outing at an indie theater is a far better deal than a Blu-ray of Batman
v. Superman: Dawn of Justice: Ultimate Edition.
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| If at first you don't succeed, drag it out for 30 more minutes. |
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