I recall the trailer of "Azur and Asmar: The Princes' Quest" was impressive, hence I made it a point to catch it when it's briefly showing at the local indie theaters. It was 99 minutes well-spent and more when writer-director Michel Ocelot appeared at the closing credits. We learned that he created the animation in Photoshop, it was a 6-year effort to have the feature length completed, distributed and first released in France in 2006. The drawings are beautifully detailed and in brilliant colors, depicting a thoughtful dramatic story that exudes fairytale adventure qualities and encompasses cultural diversity themes.
Azur is fair-skinned and blue-eyed, and Asmar is dark-skinned and dark-eyed. Both are brought up by Asmar's mother who is also nurse-mother to Azur. When they grew up, together they became fascinated with the legend (as told by mother Jénane, voice of Hiam Abbass who's the mother in "The Visitor" 2007) and pursuit of the rescue to the Djinn Fairy. In their adventures, they met and gained the allied assistance of the agile, energetic little Princess Chamsous Sabah, and accompanied by the goggle-eyed opportunist Crapoux. The adventure segment reminds me of Tarsem Singh's "The Fall" (2006), its visually exotic elements and magical characters. The challenges they encounter and have to resolve one by one are reminiscent of the excitement and anticipation in "The Lord of the Rings" series. The conclusion is nothing short of the grandeur and sparkles of Disney-fare court finale as in "Beauty and the Beasts" or "Sleeping Beauty." Yes, definite an animation to enjoy (on the DVD, there is English version which is free from distraction of subtitle-reading.)
Also available on DVD, do check out the other marvelously original and worthwhile writing & direction of Michel Ocelot's animation feature: "Kirikou and the Sorceress" (1998) - simply entertaining story & adventure with (tiny) little Kirikou, including intelligently instilled cultural diversity points of view, subtle or not. Aptly paced music again enhanced Ocelot's skillful storytelling, both enjoyable for children and adults as well.
Azur is fair-skinned and blue-eyed, and Asmar is dark-skinned and dark-eyed. Both are brought up by Asmar's mother who is also nurse-mother to Azur. When they grew up, together they became fascinated with the legend (as told by mother Jénane, voice of Hiam Abbass who's the mother in "The Visitor" 2007) and pursuit of the rescue to the Djinn Fairy. In their adventures, they met and gained the allied assistance of the agile, energetic little Princess Chamsous Sabah, and accompanied by the goggle-eyed opportunist Crapoux. The adventure segment reminds me of Tarsem Singh's "The Fall" (2006), its visually exotic elements and magical characters. The challenges they encounter and have to resolve one by one are reminiscent of the excitement and anticipation in "The Lord of the Rings" series. The conclusion is nothing short of the grandeur and sparkles of Disney-fare court finale as in "Beauty and the Beasts" or "Sleeping Beauty." Yes, definite an animation to enjoy (on the DVD, there is English version which is free from distraction of subtitle-reading.)
Also available on DVD, do check out the other marvelously original and worthwhile writing & direction of Michel Ocelot's animation feature: "Kirikou and the Sorceress" (1998) - simply entertaining story & adventure with (tiny) little Kirikou, including intelligently instilled cultural diversity points of view, subtle or not. Aptly paced music again enhanced Ocelot's skillful storytelling, both enjoyable for children and adults as well.