In reality, it maybe slap bang in the middle of WWII, but this version of Paris is stuck in a time loop - an industrial city where progress has been stifled, the Empire still rules and over the last half century the brains that have provided for so much of their technology have been steadily disappearing. No phones, no radio, electricity. Where have all the boffins being going? Is France destined to remain under the power of steam forever? Well, fortunately, two of the missing scientists have an inquisitive daughter "Avril", and alongside her chatterbox cat "Darwin", her grandad "Pops" and the rather untrustworthy "Julius" set off on a quest to find the truth. Along the way they face many perils as it becomes clear that there is a grand conspiracy afoot - and unravelling it is not going to be easy, or safe, for them. The style of animation reminded me a little of the older "Tintin" and that remains effective as the adventures into their curiously technologically dystopian city begin to uncover more mysteries for them to solve. We also have to be a bit wary of "Julius" - perhaps he is not all he appears to be? It's quite a dark movie at times, but there is humour to be found in the dialogue and in the drawing as out story progresses. The meat of that story is gradually put on the bones for us and them at roughly the same time, so we learn as they do - that always appeals more to me better than always already knowing what they are yet to find out. The characters are given time and scope to develop and it has something of an alternative universe to it that's not entirely unattractive. This film has a charm to it. It's engages and stimulates a bit too, and if you do get a chance to see it on a larger screen then I'd recommend you do.
