For many sci-fi animated movies, audience captivation is driven purely by world building. Neon scenes and expansive horizons are often used to draw attention from a weak story. Not so in this beautifully animated sci-fi detective drama. The story finds the perfect balance between much loved detective clichés and unexpected turns in a story line, that has no need for smoothing by over hyped futurism. Despite this, the imaginative graphics cleanly place the viewer into the future, pushing us just far enough into the 'what could be' to retain a believability that compliments the story. This should be on your list of sci-fi movies to see before you die.
11 Reviews
Very cool world, good enough characters
harrizzn9 May 2024
Visual style reminiscent of Promare, sci fi-cyberpunk world building reminiscent of I,Robot. Immersive soundtrack. That's what this movie does the best.
I also loved all the little details of the future tech: TV screen that moves to wherever you're looking, a bottle topper that acts as another barrier to prevent AA members from drinking, etc.
The weak point is the plot in my opinion, it's just average and I don't think the characters have enough backstory to really make us care deeply about them. These don't ruin the movie, but it does everything else better.
Overall, I would recommend this one. Especially for Sci Fi lovers.
I also loved all the little details of the future tech: TV screen that moves to wherever you're looking, a bottle topper that acts as another barrier to prevent AA members from drinking, etc.
The weak point is the plot in my opinion, it's just average and I don't think the characters have enough backstory to really make us care deeply about them. These don't ruin the movie, but it does everything else better.
Overall, I would recommend this one. Especially for Sci Fi lovers.
Well that was awesome.
EM-6907925 November 2023
The movie made me feel the full spectrum of emotions. I laughed, cried a bit, was moved by the deep repercussions of the story. Could've run for 30 minutes more and I wouldn't have been mad
It's definitely a beautiful movie too. Animation is good, despite a few low-fps sequences, it still works because of the hand drawn art style and crazy backgrounds. Knowing what the crew went through, I understand the need for some simpler parts. Designs are inspired, threading perfectly between the obvious references and something really personal. Music's very good and the overall sound mixing was perfect.
For a first movie, Périn and Sarfati really put the bar extremely high, I'm really wondering what their next move/movie will be. But first, time to rewatch this one.
It's definitely a beautiful movie too. Animation is good, despite a few low-fps sequences, it still works because of the hand drawn art style and crazy backgrounds. Knowing what the crew went through, I understand the need for some simpler parts. Designs are inspired, threading perfectly between the obvious references and something really personal. Music's very good and the overall sound mixing was perfect.
For a first movie, Périn and Sarfati really put the bar extremely high, I'm really wondering what their next move/movie will be. But first, time to rewatch this one.
Live on ... dream on
kosmasp23 September 2023
No pun intended - this Science Fiction animated movie is really going for it. Asking questions, but also being as hardcore as it can be. No prisoners taken - starting off quite mean and lean ... and not really stopping. To the degree where you may wonder (at least in the beginning), who is supposed to be the main character here. You take your pick ... maybe you are right.
Animation is well, but it is the themes that do work. What is life? What are our dreams? And can they live on? What would that mean for the remaining population and our loved ones? It is not that those questions are in your face .. but there are there ... and there may be a solution the movie proposes ... a lot to digest, a lot to take in ... and a lot to let out ... out in the open (space) ... no pun intended.
Animation is well, but it is the themes that do work. What is life? What are our dreams? And can they live on? What would that mean for the remaining population and our loved ones? It is not that those questions are in your face .. but there are there ... and there may be a solution the movie proposes ... a lot to digest, a lot to take in ... and a lot to let out ... out in the open (space) ... no pun intended.
Top notch
artmanphil10 May 2024
The best animation I've seen by in European Production. Chapeau!
Fascinating world, ingenious production design and believable characters, with flaws, demons to face and challenges to overcome. What surprised me the most is the density of information, small hints, little foreshadowing and oh so many threads coming together one after the other. In the end, all makes sense, but without being over explained. Elegant, that is how the story is written, subtle and perfectly crafted. In the past decade we've seen so much potential lost in science fiction, because every film tried to be a spectacle, and please even to the casual viewer. But Mars Express delivers on every front. Show don't tell, that's what happens here. What a masterpiece.
Fascinating world, ingenious production design and believable characters, with flaws, demons to face and challenges to overcome. What surprised me the most is the density of information, small hints, little foreshadowing and oh so many threads coming together one after the other. In the end, all makes sense, but without being over explained. Elegant, that is how the story is written, subtle and perfectly crafted. In the past decade we've seen so much potential lost in science fiction, because every film tried to be a spectacle, and please even to the casual viewer. But Mars Express delivers on every front. Show don't tell, that's what happens here. What a masterpiece.
Good Animation
stevendbeard5 May 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I saw Mars Express, starring the voices of Lea Drucker-Last Summer, War of the Worlds_tv; Daniel Njo Lobe-Le Code_tv, Marseille_tv; Mathieu Amalric-The French Dispatch, Quantum of Solace and Genevieve Doang-Wakfu_tv, Munch_tv.
This is an animated sci_fi thriller that reminded me a little bit of Blade Runner-it has a detective working with and against robots in the future. It takes place in the 2200's where Lea, a human, is a private detective that is hired to find Genevieve, another human. Daniel is Lea's android companion that used to be a human but was converted to a robot after his death. The trail starts on Earth and leads to Mars, where Mathieu runs a robotics company that is up to no good. The animation is good and there are different types of robots in this futuristic world. I liked the killer scorpion looking ones in particular. The only problem I had was with the story itself-it was a little hard to follow at times. The film was made in France and used mostly French voice actors.
It's rated NR but has violence, language and sexual content-partial nudity-and has a running time of 1 hour & 28 minutes.
It's not one that I would buy on DVD but it would be alright to stream.
This is an animated sci_fi thriller that reminded me a little bit of Blade Runner-it has a detective working with and against robots in the future. It takes place in the 2200's where Lea, a human, is a private detective that is hired to find Genevieve, another human. Daniel is Lea's android companion that used to be a human but was converted to a robot after his death. The trail starts on Earth and leads to Mars, where Mathieu runs a robotics company that is up to no good. The animation is good and there are different types of robots in this futuristic world. I liked the killer scorpion looking ones in particular. The only problem I had was with the story itself-it was a little hard to follow at times. The film was made in France and used mostly French voice actors.
It's rated NR but has violence, language and sexual content-partial nudity-and has a running time of 1 hour & 28 minutes.
It's not one that I would buy on DVD but it would be alright to stream.
French Cyberpunk at its finest
calahao10 May 2024
At first glance, Mars Express may seem like Blade Runner, having a similar premise, and indeed it homages previous cyberpunk stories, like one scene bringing to mind the Million Machine March from the Animatrix. However, it manages to be a fresh intro into this genre.
Great help in this department is the animation, which is almost infrographical in nature. There are surreal mental scenes, but some robots designs are appear in down to earth scenes as well, like the cat robot at the beginning.
Overall, a creative, imaginative science fiction world full of bright aesthetics and clever themes and motifs.
Great help in this department is the animation, which is almost infrographical in nature. There are surreal mental scenes, but some robots designs are appear in down to earth scenes as well, like the cat robot at the beginning.
Overall, a creative, imaginative science fiction world full of bright aesthetics and clever themes and motifs.
A beautiful looking film, wish the ending was different
moviemanmo9739 May 2024
While this might not be a genre bending film there is much to like about it. Starting with the beautiful animation style that is very fluid, colorful and detailed at every turn. The 2D art style meshes well with the story and its futuristic vibe. The music and sounds also compliment the overall feel of the film. The English dubbed version is well done with each voice suiting the characters perfectly. The dialogue is always purposeful providing context or aiding in the characters development. The characters however are not strong enough to be memorable. Even the villain is very stereotypical.
There are some funny moments but just enough to keep things light hearted. The pacing and structure allow for an easy viewing experience. There are some action and chase sequences which break up the exposition but nothing too over the top. The film was fine when it was a mystery thriller but when it changes course to try and be something with a deeper meaning it takes a plunge. Ultimately the ending was a letdown leading to a lower rating. This is still a good film but the ending was underwhelming.
There are some funny moments but just enough to keep things light hearted. The pacing and structure allow for an easy viewing experience. There are some action and chase sequences which break up the exposition but nothing too over the top. The film was fine when it was a mystery thriller but when it changes course to try and be something with a deeper meaning it takes a plunge. Ultimately the ending was a letdown leading to a lower rating. This is still a good film but the ending was underwhelming.
Felt longer than it is, in good way.
thebackofmyhouse9 May 2024
The world building really elevated this movie. It felt like there was a tv season's worth of material compressed into a 1.5 hour movie, but it worked, and it worked wonderfully. The world world was well thought-out, everything fit together well.
It's about a private investigator and her robot partner investigating the disappearance of a college student. As we learn more about the case, we also learn about the world this story is set in. This movie is like a perfect showcase for "show, don't tell". There's very little exposition, if any.
It's one of the best sci-fi movies I've watched recently, animated or otherwise. Highly recommended.
It's about a private investigator and her robot partner investigating the disappearance of a college student. As we learn more about the case, we also learn about the world this story is set in. This movie is like a perfect showcase for "show, don't tell". There's very little exposition, if any.
It's one of the best sci-fi movies I've watched recently, animated or otherwise. Highly recommended.
The cyberpunk neo-noir story, à la française
LikeallHungarians5 May 2024
All the Do Androids Dream of Electric Sleep? Tropes are well-worn by now (notwithstanding the updated understanding--and not--of these technologies), but this French anime is worth existing if only for being another example in major motion picture theater chains of how much cooler a world we could be living in.
The movie is most successful when it's being a thriller.
I do appreciate the makers of this picture actually trying to depict the more metaphysical cyberpunk scenes (jacking into a brain-farm; transcending one's robot body into a collective digital conscious), even if the success is only relative (anti-climactic lines of code; a 2001: A Space Odyssey redux, respectively).
This superflat animation--which dips into some digital animation action and vehicle sequences--calls attention to itself.
The movie is most successful when it's being a thriller.
I do appreciate the makers of this picture actually trying to depict the more metaphysical cyberpunk scenes (jacking into a brain-farm; transcending one's robot body into a collective digital conscious), even if the success is only relative (anti-climactic lines of code; a 2001: A Space Odyssey redux, respectively).
This superflat animation--which dips into some digital animation action and vehicle sequences--calls attention to itself.
Surprisingly Good!
virus-kj200611 May 2024
This was a surprisingly good thriller for adults; I wasn't expecting such attention to detail and story.
The animations and backgrounds are well-made. Although they may not stand out by modern art standards, they are enhanced by carefully designed details and innovative ideas. The characters are very well written and designed - I really liked Carlos. The way the futuristic world functions is also thoughtfully constructed; there are many small details that make the movie feel very realistic.
On the other hand, everything moves quite fast, and some important characters or events are only briefly shown. 'Mars Express' needed a bit more screen time to better develop these elements.
Overall, it is a solid sci-fi film.
The animations and backgrounds are well-made. Although they may not stand out by modern art standards, they are enhanced by carefully designed details and innovative ideas. The characters are very well written and designed - I really liked Carlos. The way the futuristic world functions is also thoughtfully constructed; there are many small details that make the movie feel very realistic.
On the other hand, everything moves quite fast, and some important characters or events are only briefly shown. 'Mars Express' needed a bit more screen time to better develop these elements.
Overall, it is a solid sci-fi film.
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