Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s films are never short of visual delights- they are full of vibrant autumnal colours, dizzying close-ups and amazing stunts, and “Micmacs” is no exception; characters shimmy up and down sheer walls, get fired out of cannons and generally take their lives in their hands. Entertaining, certainly, and the story is likely to be appealing enough, Danny Boon’s wounded derelict finding a purpose to his life as he tries to bring down the arms dealers behind his childhood bereavement and his adult injury. But this time there’s a crucial element missing- where is the timid childlike love of “Delicatessen”, the murderous passion of “A Very Long Engagement” and where, above all, is the delightful romance of “Amélie?” Jeunet tries to fob us off with some injury-time snogging between Boon and a contortionist ( plenty of potential here…) but good as this actress might be at fitting inside a fridge, it doesn’t make up for the fact that she wears a balaclava and she cannot act, so it all falls a bit flat.
This comedy has indisputably French qualities difficult to define but instantly recognisable. A chaotic circus of artistic and original but gentle stupidity. There is a real sense of comic wonder as they enter a cavern full of usable junk through a door on the side of a rubbish heap. A bit like Lewis Carroll only funnier. There are some short scenes of enchanting puppetry. But sometimes it feels a bit like a freak show and it certainly lacks acting talent.
Not as good as Amelie but entertaining.Silly in parts & funny in others.Unbelievable characters but amazing stunts.