The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec
Directed by Luc Besson
- fantasy
- adventure
- action
- mystery
The story
An adventure set in the early part of the 20th century, focused on a popular novelist and her dealings with would-be suitors, the cops, monsters, and other distractions.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated Belle Époque Paris, all cream stone, gaslit streets and gleaming Art Nouveau detail, with a playful, slightly storybook sheen that suits its comic-strip origins. Its camera moves with a brisk, cartoonish energy: quick cuts, exaggerated framing, sudden pivots from drawing-room calm to chaos in the catacombs or on rooftops. The score is bouncy and orchestral, and the sound design leans on squawking pterodactyls, creaking tombs and rattling carriages for comic flavour. The vibe is breezy, whimsical and mildly absurd, a light-hearted romp with a dash of period pulp, best for a Saturday afternoon or a family-friendly double bill. Pacing is fast and episodic, and the heroine, a resourceful, unflappable writer, is the bright centre of every scene, while the men around her stumble through their own schemes. Violence is cartoonish and mostly bloodless, with slapstick scuffles, peril played for laughs, and a few brief scares rather than real menace or gore. It suits viewers who want a playful, escapist adventure with a sense of humour and no real darkness.
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