Movie Review: April And The Extraordinary World (PG)
An intriguing premise can only take you so far.
The Franco-Prussian War is averted in 1870 and in the decades that follow, the world's most renowned scientists mysteriously vanish.
Europe never advances beyond the steam age, and the continent's forests have been depleted to sustain human society.
It is in this alternate history that we find protagonist April (voiced by Angela Galuppo in the English dub of the French original) in 1940s Paris.
The animation gorgeously retains the magical charm of Paris. This alternate City of Light is mysteriously different and easily the star of the film.
Too bad then that the human characters are dull and their story lacks motivation, and veers off into bizarre territory with odd villains and an out-of-place romance.
The movie is interesting but that is not nearly enough to entertain, even if only for 106 minutes.
Ratings: 2/5
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