Disappointing to say the least

I'd say you're looking at this animated film with a decidedly American view of animation. In this country, cartoons are for kids. Notably, in recent years, the animated film industry has gradually adopted an unspoken shift in policy where though the target audience for animated films is still children, adults should be able to enjoy them too. Most likely this policy was adopted because the industry realized that adults were the ones taking kids to movies, so it'd be in the industry's best interests to keep the adults interested too. So nowadays in America, we have animated films that are not JUST for kids, but even with their universal appeal, unarguable charm and truckloads of eye-winking jokes that go over children's heads, as a rule, American animated films must still be appealing to children. That being the case, we Americans approach animated films with certain expectations and preconceived notions. It sounds to me like that's exactly what you're doing.

In many other parts of the world, animated films need not be for children or even appeal to children. Instead animation is used as a unique medium for storytelling that wouldn't be possible with live action. An almost silent animated film with a liberal sprinkling of pantomime and an emphasis on unspoken emotional themes like remorse and helplessness is the perfect example of this.

I'd venture that you and your family walked in to this film expecting an "animated film" in the American sense when in actuality, it's a very adult tale that's oftentimes depressing and, just like in real life, sometimes "bland." I'd say the best comparison for this movie isn't an American animated film but instead something closer to Lost in Translation - deliberately paced, quiet and contemplative. You may argue that I'm just euphemizing descriptors for slow, boring and pretentious, but all the same, they're qualities you'd never find in American animation, which seems to be what your primary complaint revolves around. Instead of looking at this as a cartoon and comparing it to the likes of Pixar movies, think of it more as a silent film with adult themes that just happens to be animated.

The fact that you hold this up against How to Train Your Dragon and Toy Story 3 - particularly just because they were all nominated against one another for an Oscar - speaks volumes.

I loved both those films, but they were nominated together because of the film format. It's like saying that Doubt didn't hold a candle to District 9, and that you're justified in comparing them apples-to-apples because they're up for Best Picture.

Further, TS3 and HTTYD are both extremely American films, and (and as a huge fan of the Pixar canon it galls me to say this), of a completely different corporate mindset. A second sequel to a colossal commercial hit distributed by Disney that was greenlit chiefly for its own commercial potential cannot be compared to a film made as a labor of love on a shoestring and funded independently.

You're entitled to your opinion, and you're entitled to find it bland and underdeveloped (I myself did not). But it's wrongheaded to drop those titles in the same discussion. Not because The Illusionist is some kind of masterpiece, but because they're just so different.

"My brain rebelled, and insisted on applying logic where it was not welcome."

The OP never compared this movie to and Pixar movie other than in measures of absolute quality. He only said he had high expectations because it was nominated for an award alongside Toy Story 3 and How to Train Your Dragon, which were in the OP's opinion highly enjoyable, if not in the same way as The Illusionist might be or even the same was as each other. You francophiles need to learn how to read.

Man, was this ever a disappointment for me. I loved "The Triplets of Belleville," and was excited to see another film in that same spare, wry and refreshingly different style. But "The Illusionist" failed to engage me at any point. I wanted desperately to feel compassion for the artist in what was becoming (for him) a dying art. And I wanted to understand the girl's longing for new places and new things. But none of this happened - none of these characters engaged my empathy or interest - and, toward the end, I found myself checking the DVD counter about every five minutes to see how much time was left.

I've been known, in the case of real dreck, to just quit while I'm ahead, rather than waste 60 more minutes watching what was for me the unwatchable (e.g. "Date Movie"), but I couldn't quite bring myself to do that here. I thought the animation was beautiful, and the music moving. But, for me, the story could've been compelling and wasn't; the characters could have had unique, if subtle, charm and didn't.

I hope Sylvain Chomet tries his hand again soon, and I'll be there, but I wish I'd passed on this. I think I'll rent "The Triplets..." or "Paris, J'TAime" again just to remind myself how good he can be.

And to those who think anyone disappointed with this effort has a "decidedly American view of animation," as one poster said, or a Disney world view in general, I'd just say that apart from loving "The Triplets...," my favorite director of animated films is Miyazaki. Also, I'd rather watch good anime-type stuff like "Ghost in the Shell" than "Toy Story" any day. That said, I do enjoy a lot of Pixar stuff as well. I hate feeling like I have to justify my subjective dislike of a film, but ad hominem/blanket statements can really bait.

I wanted to love this -- that's why it's more disappointing for me than if I'd really not cared to begin with.


"Politeness is to human nature what warmth is to wax." ~ Schopenhauer

I was also a little bit disappointed in this movie. I loved Triplets and really wanted to love this one too. It LOOKED great in the trailers. The animation is stunning, but the story was just rather flat to me with hardly any ups or downs within it. A lonely, struggling magician gets an emotional lift from a young girl who still believes in magic? Except that even she didn't seem to make him happy. Also she hardly ever had any sort of expressions on her face, so how are we to tell that she is in awe of the magician's talents? I found it sort of confusing at times since the characters didn't talk much and most of the animation was done in full/wide view with no close ups. Some close ups so that we could see a little bit better would have probably been helpful.Especially since the animation was so subtle. Either way, I ended the movie feeling sort of empty. I went from feeling rather sad for the magician to feeling sad for the magician, ventriloquist and clown, etc... I can't say that I DIDN'T like the the movie but I also can't say that I liked it. My feelings regarding it are about as blah as the movie.

It made for a strange viewing experience for me. On one hand there are such good things about it, namely the animation is so beautiful and I liked the music.

But I agree that the story felt thin. The rabbit was my favorite character, which doesn't say much for the main people in the plot clearly. I like the scene where she brings the clown soup and he chooses not to commit suicide, I thought that was moving and well done. But it was still depressing then to see the ventriloquist homeless and on his own, the uncertain end for the illusionist himself, and for the girl, I didn't really care what would happen to her but what did was very cliche and boring. And again on the depressing end, the card about how magicians don't exist.

I try to get away from American animated films because they always end so predictably and happily, but I guess that is what I wanted from this film and every whimsical character basically was depressed, rejected, and had a sour conclusion. Realistic? Sure. Still really sad, though.

And the point I think I understand, that the rock band for instance was more popular and all of these other acts were outdated and rejected. I get the message there, sort of. But that doesn't make me like it any more than before.

I watched 'A Cat in Paris' before this and that movie was much more satisfying. It had a good story, good characters and a good ending. That was what I was hoping for since this was a recommended title if you like that film, but this is much more solemn and not as well thought-out.

Kind of a bummer of a film for me, since as a librarian, I've seen my career fall out from under me just about the same way as the vaudevillians in the movie. But the movie tells us life goes on and you have to roll with it.

I have to agree. It's bland.

The OP hit the nail on the head.

And NO it is not because being used to American animation it's just the characters seemed lacking and the film tried to hard to be artsy, and pretentious.

He's right.

They who give up liberty to
obtain a temporary safety deserve
neither liberty or safety