The unwavering determination of a young chap sends him to the enchanted domain of the Minimoys in Arthur and the Invisibles.

Written and directed by Frenchman Luc Besson, who’s reputable for his visual effects but not so well known for his story lines (think The Fifth Element), this film takes the viewer on a visual escapade courtesy of CGI animation.

The movie begins in real life with the inquisitive Arthur, played by Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), investigating the plight of his long lost grandfather by asking his granny (Mia Farrow) about his expeditions in Africa.

Trouble knocks on their door when a pugnacious real estate magnate threatens to takeover their property.

Arthur takes centre stage as the unsuspecting hero when he attempts to uncover the secret location of a pile of rubies his grandfather hid in their backyard so he can save their house.

With the help of clues hidden in his grandfather’s study he magically metamorphoses into a millimetre-sized Minimoy and so begins the CGI animation.

He is greeted by Betamache (voice of Jimmy Fallon), who then takes him to the king (voice of Robert DeNiro) and his daughter Princess Selenia (voice of Madonna).

(And who else but Madonna could lend her voice as the lean mean fighting machine princess?)

Arthur informs the Minimoys of the imminent danger their world is in. If Arthur doesn’t fetch the rubies, their world faces annihilation. Princess Selenia, Arthur and Betamache embark on a dangerous quest to save the land of Minimoys and capture the rubies guarded by the evil Maltazard (David Bowie).

The visual entertainment begins with the dazzling CGI animation; however just as the eye candy comes into fruition, the plot line becomes incoherent.

Arthur’s mission to find the treasure is clear but Princess Selenia’s trajectory isn’t.

Does she wish to kill the evil M? And once she is vis-à-vis with him, why doesn’t she so as to avoid any potential threats in the future?

There are a few loose ends that cause imbalance to the overall film.

If you’re a spring chicken you most likely won’t notice the illogical plot lines, and therefore it’s a great movie to take the kids to.

But if you’re an able-minded adult who appreciates coherency in a film, you’re likely to leave the theatre with a slew of unanswered questions.

3*/5*






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