April and the Extraordinary World (2015)

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April and the Extraordinary World Movie Review

April and the Extraordinary World is a 2015 steampunk science fiction animated film from France. It is a visually astounding, but ultimately disappointing in storytelling film.

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“I don’t need anyone.

You’re just saying that because you’re afraid to meet someone and then lose them“

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Yes, this film is just gorgeous to look at. The animation is absolutely spectacular and one of the year’s finest for sure. This is the further proof of French craftsmanship at hand-drawn animation and they really perfected this particular style. And yes, even though it does look like most French animated films do, it is still authentic because it employs a very interesting style to it, a style that is pleasantly reminiscent of comic strips. I loved that about it. The character designs are good, the scenery is great and the entire film just scream comics, but those of the better variety as this is so well drawn and I would even call it artistic.

But as I said, April and the Extraordinary World never matches that great animation with a great story because the plot here is just so run of the mill. I’ve seen this countless times before and although the beginning with the scientists was interesting and the premise does sound intriguing, the plot eventually becomes too unoriginal and I didn’t like its spectacle third act with too much action and some disappointing plot points (lizards).

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April is a very disappointing protagonist as she is never particularly likable or well realized. The others are a bit better, but also aren’t memorable. The only memorable character is Darwin and I really liked him. The relationship between the two was great and he was quite a solid cat sidekick.

The movie succeeds as a steampunk sci-fi because its style is great and it is meticulous in detail. But I have to say that that meticulousness was a two-edged sword for me as the plot at times was burdened by too many developments, characters and it just felt too convoluted. The main problem of the movie lies in its action. It is just too action oriented and the third act in particular is just action scene after action scene and that was boring to me. It sacrificed true plot and character progression in favor of action.

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The voice cast did a good job and April and the Extraordinary World is certainly well directed, animated and mostly well edited. The tone is a bit too serious, but it does have its pleasantly light moments too. The dialogue is very good and the film is quite sophisticated. I liked how mature it was too and it is something that adults can watch easily. More so, I would say it is much more suited for adults given its convoluted sci-fi nature. Some parts are emotional, but the film is otherwise too cold for the most part and that I would have changed. The film is original at first, but eventually succumbs into basic territory. The score is solid and the sound effects are great. But I just wish that the film was great in substance and not just in its technical aspects. Overall, it is a solid, but very disappointing movie that is ultimately one of the weaker winners of the Annecy International Animated Film Festival.