Ernest
and Celestine
(2012/Cinedigm Blu-ray w/DVD)
Picture:
A/B- Sound: A/B- Extras: B Film: A
The
French/Belgian animated film, Vincent Patar's
Ernest and Celestine
(2012), is a gem of a movie that any fan of animated films should
definitely see immediately. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best
Animated Feature, the story focuses on dual worlds comprised of bears
and mice. Bears live on the surface and are the most human in terms
of the way they dress, act, and how they have built their society,
whilst mice live underground, funneling and building their homeland
through use of their teeth (and by getting bear teeth surgically
implanted in their mouths). Ernest (voiced here by Forest Whitaker)
is a struggling bear that lives on the outskirts of town and doesn't
quite fit in with all the normal folk. He is a musician of sorts and
fends for himself - in many ways he resembles Shrek.
Celestine is also a social outcast and a dreamer - who draws
pictures in her sketch book when she should be focusing on her
studies and teaming up with the other mice children in stealing bear
teeth.
The
two unlikely friends, Ernest and Celestine, meet towards the end of
the first act and are involved in a burglary of bear teeth (so
Celestine can meet her quota) and in so doing wreck public property
and are on the run - making waves through both societies and
ultimately bringing the two together. It could be enjoyed by
children but at the same time, adults will pick up on many of the
films thematic elements.
The
voice cast features Forest Whitaker, MacKenzie Foy, Lauren Bacall,
Paul Giamatti, William H. Macy, Megan Mullally, Nick Offerman, and
Jeffery Wright. Running time for the film clocks in around 80
minutes.
The
animation style is really what sets the film apart. Based on a
children's book, the style of the film is very similar to what you
would see in terms of color and design of a storybook. There are so
many beautiful moments that are captured to the fullest in Blu-ray.
This is the really the way to see this film! The 1080p High
Definition transfer is unbelievable and partnered with a DTS-HD
Master Audio (MA) lossless 5.1 track brings the film to incredible
life. The DVD is above average in terms of quality but doesn't come
close to the Blu-ray (as expected.)
Special
Features include
the film in English with bonus original French audio track and
English subtitles, Making of Featurette, a fascinating feature length
animatic and an interview with Director Benjamin Renner.
-
James Harland Lockhart V
www.vimeo.com/jamielockhart
