A Town Called Panic (2009)

Firstly, let me say I am a fan of animation and do enjoy a fair few French films as usually the comedy is brilliant. For example check out The Triplets of Belleville, which is outstanding.As far as animation goes A Town Called Panic is expertly done, so then what is missing, well everything else basically. I wanted the film to charm me but there really wasn't any; wanted to be amused but there was nothing to laugh at; wanted to bond with the characters but found them annoying, and wanted to go on a journey but the plot was just daft.Really, in my opinion, it would have been better shrunk into a half- hour episode and adjusted for children, because essentially that was the only age group I could understand enjoying this.No doubt a lot of effort went into making this, however, regardless, I am still left rather unimpressed.

To me, A Town Called Panic was something like witnessing the off-kilter, nightmare world of a hyperactive child who was clearly overdosing on a massive sugar-rush. And in this hellish state the delirious child was plunged headlong into a claustrophobic nether-land of plastic-toy figurines. (Believe me, as an onlooker, this was not a pleasant vision to behold) Unlike Pixar's 'Toy Story', where toys were generally treated with a certain amount of regard and respect, this 'toy story' seemed to me to be hellbent on showing endless ways of damaging and, yes, destroying children's playthings.This truly bizarre and quirky stop-motion picture left me with too many unanswered questions, such as - Why did these plastic figurines need to sleep? Why did Indian want to build a barbecue for Horse? (I thought that all of these figurines (men & animals, alike) were on equal terms with each other and the act of eating one another was unthinkable) With 5 million bricks at their disposal, why did Cowboy make such a ridiculous fuss and go to so much trouble to get their walls back? Anyways - I certainly can't argue that some of the stop-motion animation was actually quite imaginative and amusing. But, before long, "Panic" inevitably lost its initial novelty and appeal. This was mainly due to the sheer nuttiness of a disjointed story which carried its situations too far to the extreme. (This picture could have also stood for a 20-minute haircut) I guess, when it comes right down to it, there just doesn't seem to be enough of a child's wonder and awe still left inside of me, so I was not able to find any real enjoyment in "Panic" as, it seems, so many others have.

Beautifully pure animation from Belgium. In a sea of CGI Dreamworks, Pixar, Blue Sky, and other such nonsense, here we have some stop-motion animated plastic toys. It also helps that this is some insanely genius comedy. It is exceptionally random, but not to the point where it's annoying. The story is a bizarre, sweet tale of friendship, as building a barbecue for a birthday present turns into a sort of family crime caper. Horse, Cowboy and Indian are a great trio. The best part of the film is seeing this strange world, where the animation and set design becomes the joke. Horse sleeps standing up, people wobble around, animals go to music school, and a giant robot penguin makes snowballs. It's a true delight, madcap comedy that doesn't outstay its welcome.

Horse, Cowboy and Indian are on the chase after some aquatic monster people who've stolen their house walls. Churn in a love story with an equine pianist, a spastic farmer, and a slew of other high-energy characters and you have the makings of A Town Called Panic. Oh, and to make it even extra crazy, it's French! First things first, do you really want to see this movie? It's a French animated film done in a similar style to Robot Chicken. Does 70+ minutes of a toys running around screaming at one another sound like fun? Yeah? Bien! You're well on your way to watching a movie you'll most likely enjoy. If you're not a fan of Robot Chicken, French humor, or high doses of jittery joy, then move along. I was pretty amped to check this baby out. But I was not prepared for the frantic pace the movie had. This is a warning here. Expect a movie that moves at a very past pace. Characters are moving and talking non-stop. Keep your eyes and ears open. Honestly, about 15 minutes in I was losing patience with the film, and feeling as if I wasn't going to like it very much. But once the main story arc kicked in and more feverish imagination took hold, I was catching myself enjoying it more and more. And by the end, I was plenty happy with what I just watched.So take a little bit of advice from me. You'll see plenty of people expressing it's for the whole family, and it's a wonder and a joy, and all this great stuff. This flick could be watched by the whole family (though I think there is a couple swear words - that is, if you're little ones can read the subtitles, or your French), but this film isn't really very accessible. It's a unique and electric film that's fun, but I can easily see many a people saying it was just too much.