 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Arthur and the Invisibles
- Review Date: May 14, 2007
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Uneven animation-live action combo may bore kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this animated-live action film is muddled and a bit hectic. The movie's two realms feature two villains: a developer who wants to take Grandma's land and an underground bully who threatens to enslave the tiny, perky Minimoys. There's some stereotyping: A working-class mother worries that she's abandoned her son, African warriors appear only to help a white boy have an adventure, the girl Minimoy has pink hair, etc. The movie is based on series of children's books by director Luc Besson.
What's the story?
Ten year-old Arthur (Freddie Highmore) lives on a farm with his grandmother (Mia Farrow). Granny likes to tell stories about Arthur's grandfather, Archibald (Ron Crawford), who's lost in Africa, and she also worries that she'll lose their home to land developers. Arthur decides to help by following grandfather's clues, which supposedly lead to buried treasure. On his quest, Masai warriors shrink him to the size of the elves -- called Minimoys -- who live beneath Granny's lawn. He meets Minimoys princess, Selenia (voiced by Madonna). The malevolent Maltazard (David Bowie), wants to enslave the Minimoys, so Selenia's father (Robert De Niro) sends her, Arthur, and Selenia's brother Bétamèche (Jimmy Fallon), to find the treasure, in hopes that it will pay off the villains.
Is it any good?
Frenzied and disconnected, ARTHUR AND THE INVISIBLES (originally released in France as Arthur et les Minimoys) follows a human boy whose adventures lead him into a community of teeny-weeny, elf-like creatures.
The plot -- based on a series of children's books by director Luc Besson -- proceeds in a tizzy, cutting between above-ground scenes and below-ground scenes, though never quite establishing thematic or emotional links between the two realms.
Meanwhile, Bétamèche chatters on about nonsense and Highmore -- so charismatic as a live-action actor -- is here turned into a strangely punky figure with spiky white hair. Also distracting: the lackluster animation and the fact that the Masai seemingly come out of nowhere, simultaneously emblems of "mysterious Africa" and their own lack of context.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Arthur's underground adventure. Kids, have you ever imagined changing your size or changing your body? How? What's appealing about the Minimoys? How is Arthur able to help his grandmother? Why are Arthur's parents living apart from him? If your family has read the books the movie is based on, you can compare them. Which do you like better? Why?
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AGE
OFF for 6 but ON for 7.
the movie is way to vilont and there is a little bit to much flirting that goes on between aurther and princess salina. so kids 6 and under i dont recomend letting them watch it but i do recomend letting kids 7 and older watch it.
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AGE
NOT BORING!
this movie is NOT boring. i LOVED the movie. i watch it all the time.i thought it was entertaining and interesting.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 7, 2011
AGE
Arthur and the invisables rocks!!!!!!
This is one of the best movies ever!!! I love it!!!!
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AGE
My Son Loves It!!!
It is very hard to get my 5 yr old to sit still at the movies but this was one that he sat all the way thru and is still talking about it. My mom and I also loved it. Great Movie!
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, book characters |
| Studio: | Weinstein Co. |
| Director: | Luc Besson |
| Cast: | Freddie Highmore, Madonna, Mia Farrow |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 94 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 12, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | May 15, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | fantasy action and brief suggestive material. |
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