The animation is very accomplished and clearly comprised of great talent, but the narrative sadly lets the film down. Though a clear narrative around the monster, there is a lack of character development with side characters being introduced before main characters, and too many tangents that go unfulfilled. Ultimately this makes the film a little boring, ending rather suddenly after uncertain attempts at romance. Despite an optimistic approach to music (with dance sequences being clearly the best parts of the film) there are only three or four songs, and it would have benefited from having singing throughout if it was going to use it at all (especially with the monster). The use of American voices is, in my opinion, rather forced, and the film would do better to have subtitles and be left in French as previously intended. All this said it was good fun, and I would recommend it as a wonderful example of french animation. Then again, from a completely blunt aspect, it does not have the promising narrative and scripting of its Pixar/Dreamworks rivals. In short - the monster is endearing. The other characters really have no place in the plot line.
Review of A Monster in Paris
