Adèle Blanc-Sec (2010)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Justin Y

  
  Using Jacques Tardi's comic book series as his basis, Luc Besson conjures up <i>The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec</i>.<p>As seen in its title, the story that unfolds is quite extraordinary and bizarre, which is another way of saying that it is more… More
  Using Jacques Tardi's comic book series as his basis, Luc Besson conjures up <i>The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec</i>.<p>As seen in its title, the story that unfolds is quite extraordinary and bizarre, which is another way of saying that it is more wacky than it is a serious action adventure. Don't let that be a show-stopper because despite its frantic nature, this picture is an entertainer.</p><p>There is a heavy reliance on CG, especially in the latter portions of the film. The fantasy characters do play an integral piece in the story, along with their amusing personalities, and their appearances are passable.</p><p>The lovely Louise Bourgoin turns in a memorable performance with the frisky nature of her character, Adele, and her fine delivery of French dialogue. The rest of the supporting cast, although somewhat lost in the turmoil of things, also deliver acceptable supporting performances.</p><p>Coming in at 90+ minutes, along with a small segment during the closing credits, <i>The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec</i> ends up as an outlandishly satisfying picture.</p>

• Jan Marc M

  
  The Extraordinary Adventures Of Adèle Blanc-Sec follows Adèle, a writer on an adventure to discover ancient Egyptian medicine technology to remedy a sister. Whimsical. Raucously energetic. Merveilleux! A sequel is greatly anticipated.

• Anthony L

  
  I can't say I've ever heard of the 70's cartoons of The Extraordinary Adventures Of Adele Blanc-Sec but I might just seek them out! The Extraordinary Adventures Of Adele Blanc-Sec is a great adventure film, more for adults than children though, which is probably why I… More
  I can't say I've ever heard of the 70's cartoons of The Extraordinary Adventures Of Adele Blanc-Sec but I might just seek them out! The Extraordinary Adventures Of Adele Blanc-Sec is a great adventure film, more for adults than children though, which is probably why I like it even more. It's about bloody time Luc Besson made another live action film and I really hope that this is the first of many adventure films based on the fantastic character, Adele Blanc-Sec - played wonderfully by the very beautiful Louise Bourgoin. It's a bit like Indiana Jones/The Mummy but directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. I can see a bit of Besson's usual style here but I wouldn't say it was obvious that it's one of his films. I'm not complaining though, he's back in the game and long may he continue - although I'm baffled as to why this film has been so overlooked!? Definitely worth checking out, I may have been a bit generous with my rating but I really was pleasantly surprised by it and entertained throughout!

• Luke B

  
  A charming and frantic farce by Besson. Based on a series of French comics, The Extroadinary Adventures Of Adele Blanc-Sec is a French version of Indiana Jones, with a lot more magic and cartoonish behaviour. The film is quite messy in parts as one story becomes a tool to advance… More
  A charming and frantic farce by Besson. Based on a series of French comics, The Extroadinary Adventures Of Adele Blanc-Sec is a French version of Indiana Jones, with a lot more magic and cartoonish behaviour. The film is quite messy in parts as one story becomes a tool to advance another story. The film begins with an old professor with psychic abilities, waking a pterodactyl from its egg. Meanwhile, in Egypt, Adele Blanc-Sec is looking for the mummified corpse of Rameses' physician so she can bring it back to life and cure her comatose sister. These two plots soon intertwine, but not in an incredibly smooth fashion. The make-up design is wonderful, and typically OTT French. Prosthetics are used to exaggerate ears, noses, teeth and age. This leads to a number of visually memorable characters. Unfortunately, with so much going on many characters get lost. Amalric is only present for a few minutes, while others are shown too often. Still, this is a ridiculous farce which revels in its absuridty. The CGI is convincing and adds a lot to the later emotional scenes. Hopefully they'll be more to come.

• Marcus W

  
  Should have been a great adventure in the vein of Indiana Jones or Tintin, but sadly it's lacking in "gravity". There's something so flimsy about it, and nothing is taken seriously. Blanc-Sec is underwritten, the villain does nothing but snarl, and all other other… More
  Should have been a great adventure in the vein of Indiana Jones or Tintin, but sadly it's lacking in "gravity". There's something so flimsy about it, and nothing is taken seriously. Blanc-Sec is underwritten, the villain does nothing but snarl, and all other other characters are bumbling idiots. The lead actress is great, and I loved the mummies, but this film merely drifts along when it could have soared.

• Magnus X

  
  A good movie but more farce than adventure. Louise Bourgoin is excellent in the lead. I would love to see a sequel with a lot more adventure.

• Henrik S

  
  Despite some artistic talent shining through here and there, this film is a muddled mess of fantasy, slapstick and comic book adaption on par with Night at the museum when it comes to historical probability and intellectual stimulation. I think making great fantasy and sci-fi films is… More
  Despite some artistic talent shining through here and there, this film is a muddled mess of fantasy, slapstick and comic book adaption on par with Night at the museum when it comes to historical probability and intellectual stimulation. I think making great fantasy and sci-fi films is a heroic deed because making sure that the film stays true to its visionary and surreal nature while maintaining the logical & causal coherence within its framework of reference is true work of genius. Many novelists and some film makers have achieved this. Sadly, Luc Besson fails so painfully that I almost walked out of this film. What a terrible and pointless amalgamation of idiotic action scenes and slapstick jokes. What I liked is Besson's hand for male characters who are all taken straight from a German expressionist Lang film, but the female lead is so generic and moronic (apart from utterly unrealistic) that you have no interest in what she does whatsoever and the film is only interesting when some random side-kick and unimportant characters get some screen time that is not related to the main story arc. I am not even going to start on all the mistakes, goofs, continuity errors and plot holes, but believe me, there are plenty. Yes, I know, this is a sci-fi/fantasy film, but that does not mean that you can throw each notion of coherence out of the window. And please, don't go for the cheap laughs. Just as bad as Night at the Museum, maybe even more disappointing considering that Besson (is supposed) to have talent (I have not seen it so far). Avoid ! HX

• hawk l

  
  Pleasing and enjoyable archaeological action/adventure, visually impressive and beautifully framed. Louise Bourgoin invests the title role with particular charm.

Read all 8 featured audience ratings