by Matt Levine In a political climate where scientific facts are often dismissed in favor of bipartisan vitriol, fantasy movies about noble scientists preventing the end of the world have suddenly become chic. Last year’s Tomorrowland envisioned an alternate universe where scientists are jettisoned to start fresh, escaping the greed and political turmoil that have almost guaranteed the earth’s destruction. This year, it’s the French animated fantasy April and the Extraordinary World that depicts a dystopian planet stuck in the Dark Ages after the twentieth century’s greatest scientists go missing. Surprisingly morbid yet consistently exciting, April and the Extraordinary World offers a somewhat tepid indictment of man’s petty quests for power, but the real thrills are provided by gorgeous animation and a unique steampunk setting that resembles Mad Max transplanted to fin de siècle France. | Lagoon Cinema Directors: Christian Desmares, Franck Ekinci Producers: Michel Dutheil, Franck Ekinci, Marc Jousset Writers: Franck Ekinci, Benjamin Legrand, Jacques Tardi (graphic novel) Editor: Nazim Meslem Music: Valentin Hadjadj French-Language Voice Cast: Marion Cotillard, Philippe Katerine, Jean Rochefort, Olivier Gourmet, Marc-André Grondin, Bouli Lanners, Anne Coesens, Macha Grenon English-Language Voice Cast: Marion Cotillard, Paul Giamatti, Tony Hale, Susan Sarandon, J.K. Simmons Runtime: 106m. Genre: Animated/Adventure/Comedy Countries: France/Belgium/Canada Premiere: June 15, 2015 – Annecy Film Festival US Theatrical Release: March 25, 2016 US Distributor: Gkids |
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