Matt Shea
RubySoho
Morgan Bell
Cibbuano
David O'Connell
Mountain Fog
Fantastic Planet
October 21st 2008 23:57
Rene Laloux's 1974 animated feature describes a surreal world, far away from Earth, where the inhabitants look like a cross between a human and a blue fishman, but tower 100 m tall.
We're introduced to the world as we see a nude human female carrying a baby and running in hear. A giant blue hand descends from the heavens to knock her back, flicking her across the landscape.
This is the world of the Draags, a race of giants, living in meditative bliss on their planet. Strangely, they've brought humans back, mainly as pets, and they've escaped and bred at a ferocious rate, compelling the Draags to exterminate them like nests of cockroaches.
Laloux's animated film is beautiful to watch - by using a foreign planet as the setting, he's free to let his imagination wander, animating bizarre, grotesque fauna and flora. The humans, called Oms, struggle to survive, racing from hiding spot to hiding spot, thieving food and fighting with other pockets of humans.
It's a terrifying life and "Fantastic Planet" gives us that sinking feeling of knowing that, though it's science fiction, the same essential concept is what led to slavery in the New World. Imagine what it must have been like for those African slaves, brought to North America, facing Europeans with whips and guns, forced to work and live like animals.
Sadly, though, Laloux seems to have run out of funds at the end of the film - just as things get really interesting, it all wraps up in a matter of minutes; this grates on the aesthetic of the film, which deliberately paces things slow, allowing us to watch crystals grow or strange plants flower.
There's not enough animation like this, in my opinion, and I loved the retro look of the animation, which brings back memories of those old days, when animators used colours and strokes to convey meaning. "Fantastic Planet" is a spellbinding look into the surreal world of distorted, nightmarish dreams.
Acknowledgement: The bizarre animals of "Fantastic Planet" look even stranger on the crisp colours of the 42LG70YD, the latest 42" LCD TV from LG.
I say: A rarity, but sublime. Unique and bizarre, "Fantastic Planet" is a delight for all ages, despite the cartoon nudity.
See it for: I was hoping that the Draags would have some freaky sexual practises, and I was right.
*this image is from Regal Beagles.
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Comment by Damo
Excellent film.
The ending was almost as odd as Babarella but it was a great film.
Comment by Frey
Comment by Cibbuano
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It would have been an excellent film, in my opinion, if they had extended it by about 20 minutes, and let the ending resolve a little more carefully.
Frey, yes, you're correct, I've read that as well. Sadly, I don't know much about that time, other than brief news reports..
Comment by Kenna
Looking at the clip and pictures, it's actually a true work of art.
BTW: I have a tech question. What code to you use to embedded the video?
Comment by Cibbuano
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I can answer your question, but please send me a private message.