The Prince’s Voyage is a beautiful animated tale from critically acclaimed French animators animator Jean-François Laguionie (The Painting, Cannes Palme d’Or winner Rowing Across the Atlantic) and Xavier Picard (King Arthur and the Knight of Justice).
When a young monkey boy named Tom discovers an injured old monkey Prince named Laurent washed up on the beach, he and his parents take in the foreigner and nurse him back to health.
The Prince finds himself in a strange land similar but unlike his land.
They are much more technologically advanced, however their traditions and their thinking and philosophies are very archaic.
Tom’s parents are banished scientists who’s progressive thinking and theories have gotten them thrown out of the Academy and they work in secret in their museum.
With Tom’s help, both his parents and the Prince work to understand and learn from each other as they try to change the thinking and advance their society at the same time.
Eventually Tom and Prince Laurent make a journey that leads them to discover another monkey civilization in the encroaching dense forest.
I enjoyed this movie tremendously.
I found its message of acceptance and understanding to be thought provoking as well as touching. The themes of being in the face of the unknown and the challenges of current ideas are both timely and what we need right now.
When The Prince’s Voyage began, I didn’t know where it was going or what it was trying to show me.
I was intrigued with visuals and the unfolding of the story before me, and that was enough. As the film progressed further, I was curiouser and curiouser about what this whole film would be about as it could have gone in a few different directions.
As I watched, I felt like Prince Laurent not knowing what is going to happen yet completely invested in what will happen to him. All my patience, as the story continued and concluded, was absolutely rewarded by the ending. I was more than satisfied with the entire film.
The animation is a stunning mix of traditional and digital and the character design and turn of the 19th century inspired architecture and industrial design to work really well in conveying the differences in the two societies. The visuals and the colors are gorgeous to look at and I love the mix of the two animation styles.
This is an intelligent and thought provoking film that might not be right for kids and children if for nothing else because it is subtitled in English. Teens and adults will enjoy its beauty and message.
* * * * *
Produced by Eric Jacquot, Armelle Glorennec, Stephan Roelants
Written by Jean-François Laguionie and Anik Le Ray
Based on the film A Monkey’s Tale by Jean-François Laguionie
Directed by Jean-François Laguionie and Xavier Picard
Starring Enrico Di Giovanni,Thomas Sagols, Gabriel Le Doze, Marie-Madeleine Burguet,
Catherine Lafond,Frédéric Cerdal, Patrick Bonnel
The Prince’s Voyage is now available on Digital HD and Blu-ray Combo Pack
