Common Sense Media Review
Uneven animation-live action combo may bore kids.
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Arthur and the Invisibles
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Based on 10 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a nostalgic favorite for many, often cherished from childhood, yet it raises mixed feelings due to its peculiar content. Some praise its engaging story and action, while others criticize its unsettling themes and odd animations, suggesting it might not be suitable for younger viewers.
- nostalgic favorite
- engaging story
- unsettling themes
- mixed feelings
- not suitable
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
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 the 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 follows a human boy whose adventures lead him into a community of teeny-weeny, elflike 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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Arthur's underground adventure. Have you ever imagined changing your size or changing your body? How? What's appealing about the Minimoys?
This movie was based on a children's book. What would be the challenges in turning a book into a movie?
How did the violence in the action sequences compare to the violence in other animated features? Was the violence necessary to the story, or could the movie have done without it?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 12, 2007
- On DVD or streaming : May 15, 2007
- Cast : Freddie Highmore , Madonna , Mia Farrow
- Director : Luc Besson
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Weinstein Co.
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Book Characters
- Run time : 94 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : fantasy action and brief suggestive material.
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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