Film Noir (2007)

55% of users liked it
(411 ratings)

In the tradition of Sin City and Renaissance comes this animated tale of a violent amnesiac who is forced to take flight after waking up under the Hollywood sign next to a dead cop. It's one thing to have the bad guys hot on your trail, but when the good guys are closing in from the other direction… More In the tradition of Sin City and Renaissance comes this animated tale of a violent amnesiac who is forced to take flight after waking up under the Hollywood sign next to a dead cop. It's one thing to have the bad guys hot on your trail, but when the good guys are closing in from the other direction as well there is truly no rest for the wicked. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: D. Jud Jones, Risto Topaloski
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Animation

In Theaters: Mar 2, 2007 Wide
Studio: Wild Bunch Distribution

Critic Reviews

Anton Bitel, Film4
this animated noir pastiche for adults... may be an experience as forgettable as its hero's past, but it is an agreeably guilty pleasure while it lasts, with a striking visual style.
Matthew Sorrento, Film Threat
We're far from the classic world of the title, but in an animated neo-noir, gray as steel and just as cold.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Mark W

Being an avid fan of the film noir genre, I couldn't resist one that used the genre's description as it's title and also carried an 18 certificate, making this an enticing prospect for any hardboiled fan, not to mention that it's an animated take on it. Waking… More
Being an avid fan of the film noir genre, I couldn't resist one that used the genre's description as it's title and also carried an 18 certificate, making this an enticing prospect for any hardboiled fan, not to mention that it's an animated take on it. Waking up in the Hollywood hills without a clue as to his identity, our protaganist finds himself with a dead police officer lying next to him and the murder weapon fitting his holster perfectly. He determines that it must be himself that's the murderer. But he has no idea of who he is or why he's killed. He sets out to unravel the mystery of his identity while crooks and dames try to thwart his investigation at every turn. For me, one of the major attractions to this film was the animation but unfortunately that was also the biggest disappointment. It's nothing special by today's standards, and bordered on amature at times. The splashes of colour throughout were a nice touch though, in a mainly monochromatic style. What really raises this above the standard is it's perfect attention to the atmosphere of a noir, with excellent use of downbeat voiceover and sleazy saxaphone and trumpet jazz soundtrack. It doesn't quite manage to hold your attention throughout though, partly down to the substandard artwork and the fact that it goes way over a reasonable running time, meandering towards it's conclusion. Comparisons with Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez's "Sin City" will no doubt be made, as this is the best example of what to expect from this unexpected genre addition. The opening is so strong that the rest of the film suffers because of it. However, if you're a fan of the film noir genre you'll find plenty to enjoy, but it somehow left me feeling that this was a missed opportunity for something really special.
Sylvester K

Interesting animation, but bored me to death. It's an easily forgettable film.

Cast

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Film Noir (2007)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Mark W

Sylvester K

Cast