Review of The Illusionist (2009) by Damion R — 08 Feb 2011

Every year, it seems the Academy nominates a few major animated releases for an Oscar and then gives one nomination to a lesser-known film and, for the second time, 2011's "token" nomination lands on a production directed by Sylvain Chomet. In 2004, Chomet was nominated for "Les Triplettes de Belleville" and this year, he has been invited back for "L'Illusioniste.".

And I think the nomination would have been more deserving for a film like "Megamind.".

Don't get me wrong, it is always wonderful to see a hand-drawn animated production get its due, and "The Illusionist" is a beautifully animated film based on an unproduced script written by French mime, director and actor Jacques Tati in 1956 as a letter to his estranged eldest daughter. However, in terms of entertainment, the film is highly lacking.

Based almost completely on the visual, the story of a poor illusionist who meets a young girl in a remote European town and almost (randomly) takes her under his wing like a daughter (and where are her parents?), the story unfolding in blips and quips of language here and there, weighs so heavily on the animation which unfolds on screen, the story itself seems to lack details, a strong direction and overall meaning. Although purists may argue that a film based substantially on the visual renders it high art, and may therefore pack much more of a wallop for some, there are those, llike me, who will find the lack of script a tad bit trying at times.

The minimal script worked well for the lucious "Triplettes de Belleville," but I felt it just did not hold the same weight this time around.

So although beautiful to watch, it's hard to compare it to the astonishing 3D visuals and action-packed story of a film like "Megamind." For that, I feel this nomination is somewhat...but only somewhat...wasted on a film which will leave a grand visual impression, but with a story that is not easily followed nor terribly engaging, is ultimately not all that memorable.