Review of Micmacs (2009) by Colin O — 20 Jun 2010

Up until now average loser Bazil had lived his life quietly in Paris without purpose, but after being hit by a stray bullet in a bizarre course of events, he joins forces with a group of eccentric weirdos to bring down the weapons manufacturers. Jean-Pierre Jeunet certainly has a visual style, and this film features all his usual hues and tints, like an autumnal scrapheap challenge heist movie.

Jeunet makes exquisite fantasies, the likes of which Terry Gilliam can only dream of; except he doesn't. His vision of Paris seems to exist alongside or within the real Paris, just tucked away in a quiet corner that only gets visited in his films.

Using the heightened sense of imagination he gained from his gunshot wound, Bazil seeks revenge on the rival weapons men that have destroyed so many lives, getting help along the way by a ragtag group of misfits that quickly become his new family. They're an oddball gang of outcasts and circus freaks who, when on their own their powers don't amount to much, but when they act together they are a superhero group to rival the X-Men. There's a Gondry-esque charm to all their missions, as they use what they have at hand to create makeshift cannons or convincing illusions. Though not as consistently winning as Amelie, this film is high on whimsy and thoroughly entertaining.