I enjoyed this movie, and there's much to like in it. It's visually thrilling, and has some really creative props and sets. The characters are all charming, like a weird combination of street performers and a team of comic book heroes. It's like an extended version of the scene in Amelié where she terrorizes the fruit merchant, only here it happens to two characters (who blame each other for it). The traps and "heists" are all enjoyable as creative and cartoonish schemes, and I can imagine Jeunet had as much fun coming up with them hat I had watching them.The only thing that is really lacking in this movie is the level of ambition. Jeunet has not set out to create a marvelous story, instead using his charms and creativity to create an fun little story that can be enjoyed by young and old. If there's a comment on weapons manufacturers, it's about as strong as a Disney comic. None of the characters has much of an arch through the movie, all of them ending up pretty much as they started (only in different circumstances). There's a love story, but it's only function is for some gags throughout. I'm not saying all of these are bad things - but just not what Jeunet seems to want from this movie.

Micmacs (2009): Dir: Jean-Pierre Jeunet / Cast: Dany Boon, Jean- Pierre Marielle, Julie Ferrier, Andre Dussollier, Yolande Moreau: Colorful and creative comedy from Jean-Pierre Jeunet whose Amelie captivates our imagination and A Very Long Engagement compels us. Dany Boon plays Basil, orphaned after his father was killed at war. After being hit by a stray bullet and survives, he finds refuge with a group of misfits in a junk yard where he schemes to bring down the arms dealers responsible for the bullet embedded in his head, and the mine that killed his father. Jeunet brings great creative impulses to his story but it lacks the character emotion of Amelie. Here the special effects seem to overrule the plot whereas in Amelie they accompanied and even propelled the story. Boon brings a silent film like passion to the film as he accepts his replacement at work with a new quest to bring answers and justice. His junkyard friends are mainly characters identified through some visual trait. Jean- Pierre Marielle plays Slammer, a skilled thief. Julie Ferrier plays Elastic Girl whom can shift her body to any shape. They are amusing but never propel personality. Andre Dussollier plays the harassed villain who is brought to justice. Yolande Moreau plays Mama Chow whose name is more interesting than she is. Imaginative yet misguided impression of the rise of the forgotten soul. Score: 5 ½ / 10

Micmacs is not a bad movie overall and one with an interesting and whimsical storyline. One thing however that I did not like about the movie was the obvious plot holes that it contained. There were certain places where the storyline simply jumped ahead with no explanation, leaving the reader to catch up on their own. The most notable example of this is near the beginning where we see Bazil as a little kid when his family receives news of his father's death. We then see him sent to a boarding school of some sort and the story suddenly changes to a man sitting in a video store watching a movie. It is only because of certain clues seen later that we suddenly realize that this is Bazil. Some films do this purposefully for effect, however this one only serves to confuse the audience rather than impress them.The director, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, was born in Roanne, Loire, France on September 3, 1953. Jeunet has directed a number of films, one of which, "Amelie", was nominated for several Academy Awards. He also received a European Film Award for Best Director due to this film.A major idea that is expressed in the film is that of a person finding a second life or a new reason for living. We see Bazil's life rejuvenated by his newfound group of friends and his newfound purpose of getting revenge on the arms manufacturers. This idea really hits home when we see that all of his friends are happily willing to assist him in his mission. When they tell him that anything he has to do, they will do together, we see that he has gained a new life that far surpasses the solitary and dreary one he led before. This idea is significant because it shows that people should always have a reason for living. If one life purpose fades away, another one will eventually arise to take its place.Another main idea is the story of an underdog triumphing over a superior force. The dominant storyline of Bazil's quest for revenge on the arms dealers reflects this idea at every turn as he and his team lure the companies closer and closer to destruction. They gain more of an advantage with each step of the plan until it all culminates in the end with the coerced confessions of the president of each company. Once these confessions are broadcast on YouTube, Bazil and his friends have obviously won. This idea is popular with audiences because people like it when they see those who are repressed overthrow their oppressors against all odds. It is appealing because not only does the good guy win, but that victory is all the more sweet because it is theoretically impossible. The movie uses special effects as any good action film should, which serve well to keep the audience's attention. It makes use of pyrotechnics such as the explosions which are set off with the sabotage of one of the arms manufacturing facilities. The music used at different points in the movie also stands out. It has a circus-like feel to it which adds to the comical air of the film, such as the music heard when Petit Pierre is playing with his inventions.Overall, the movie is okay at best, but far from the worst I have ever seen. Many may find it to be too trite and predictable however it does have its moments. I would readily suggest it to someone looking for a decent French action-comedy.

Micmacs is a great movie. This movie could be put into a number of different genres. One genre could be the movie is a comedy from all of the different things that make you laugh throughout the movie. The director of the movie is Jean-Pierre Jeunet. He started his career by directing TV commercials in the 1980s. He then shot two animations movies and ended up winning a Cesar for best short film. He also won four Cesar's for the movie Delicatessen. The movie won a Golden Reel Award in 2011 for best sound editing. The movie was also nominated for a Cesar, a COFCA Award, and a Chlotrudus Award.One thing I enjoyed about the movie is the way the camera angle was used when looking up at Basil on the roof of the buildings. I like how the angle looked up at him on the roof because it gave us a perspective that he was being sneaky and trying not to get caught.Another thing I liked is the use of slow motion when seeing the bullet fired from the gun at the beginning of the movie. This was important because the bullet in the main characters head is what the movie is all about. So when the movie was slowed down at this point it helped show the audience the importance of this scene.Two ideas scene in this movie was the idea of revenge and the idea of David vs Goliath. The idea of revenge is seen throughout the whole movie. Basil is trying to seek revenge for the death of his father and for the fact he now has to live with a bullet in his head for the rest of his life. The idea of David vs. Goliath is the misfits that have little resources can overthrow and expose the arms dealers that have all the money in the world. I believe these ideas are French in the way they are shown in the movies. Americans would not have ended the movie the way the French did. American writers would have had the two killed or tortured. However , the French exposed them through the use of Youtube and tricked them into confessing what they have done. Also, the idea of David vs. Goliath is French in the way it is portrayed. The group of misfits and their backgrounds are French in the types of backgrounds they have. From the contortionist to the mom that loved home cooked meals and the importance of everyone sitting down and eating together. These are very French things that we see in their culture.