Why does the French animated adventure “Absolutely Crazy” actually have to take place in the USA? Do you really believe that many (US) children in the targeted age range of six to ten do not know that there are other countries outside of the USA? In any case, the action-packed story is now set in an environment that looks like North America and where the places – real and fictional – have English names. Of course, a young local audience won't have any problems with the Mojave Desert or the Rocky Mountains – after all, thanks to the Hollywood competition, they're already used to it.
Still, it's a bit of a shame. After all, the relaxed, light, high-speed, high-spirited “Animally Crazy” is one of those European animated productions that actually don't have to pander to the financially better-equipped competition on the other side of the Atlantic. Most (young) cinema fans will hardly notice any major difference in the film by “The Jungle Heroes” director duo Benoît Daffis and Jean-Christian Tassy compared to US blockbusters like “Pets”.
Falcon must find a way out not only for himself, but also for the animals trapped in the luggage compartment.
The raccoon Falcon (voice in the original: Damien Ferrette) is something like the Robin Hood of the homeless street animals living in Bay City. He steals treats from food trucks and picnic blankets to give out to his friends who aren't quite as fit when it comes to getting food. Because Christmas is just around the corner, he is planning his biggest coup to date, which will enable a real feast for animals of all species. Apart from that, Falcon and the badger Hans (Frantz Confiac) are after the restaurant on a train, which is filled with specialties, before it leaves the city. Although his adoptive father, the wise pigeon Rico (Nicolas Marié), warns him about his accomplice, Falcon believes in the good in animals. So he gets to work, without suspecting that Hans only wants to use him to get revenge on the police dog Rex (Hervé Jolly), who brought him to the animal shelter years ago.
So Falcon sneaks on board as planned and plugs in a few electronic connections. So Hans, sitting in the forest, takes control via remote control. He also uses a fictitious announcement to ensure that everyone gets out. As the now driverless train leaves the city at breakneck speed, Falcon, along with Rex and the other pets locked in cages, baskets and aquariums in the luggage car, have to find a way to somehow get off board…
Breaking pace
From the moment the train leaves the platform, there is almost non-stop action. In terms of detail, the animation isn't quite at the level of titles from Pixar, Disney Animation, Illumination or DreamWorks, but it's pleasingly close. For a film that only cost 12.5 million euros, it is simply great. The mammals, reptiles, birds and fish are animated throughout according to their real movement possibilities – and the landscapes, panoramas and cityscapes also look great. What's really brilliant, however, is the technical implementation of the train and all the action fireworks that are fired in, on, under and around it.
Changing a switch just in time, uncoupling individual wagons, escaping a fire on board and attempting to cross a collapsing high bridge – all of this is grippingly staged and animated. The shots are consistently dynamic – also because the camera angles are often filmed from the perspective of the rather small animals. After “Absolutely Crazy,” no one should really be surprised if not only the two directors but also parts of their crew soon receive job offers from Hollywood mega-studios.
Trapped on board a deserted, speeding train – the situation for the animals in the luggage compartment seems pretty precarious.
Although it is an action film full of danger, there are no really scary scenes that could disturb young cinema fans. The main focus is on fun – and there is plenty of it on offer. The protagonist Falcon (we find out what the nickname is all about as the story progresses) is also appropriately characterized for children: he is brave, but – like some of his companions – he also has fears to overcome. Even the story's villain isn't overly frightening and has his own problems that make him seem human, er, animal.
The whole thing moves along quickly and at just under 90 minutes is not a moment too long. “Animally crazy” does not claim to present a groundbreaking or particularly original concept. The film even comes across as formulaic at times and offers a fairly predictable ending. Which is both completely okay, because the story serves its purpose by entertaining the target group quite well. And there are a few funny moments for adults too – including in the form of movie quotes (including “Die Hard” and “Mission: Impossible”).
Suitable for children but also entertaining for adults
But in addition to these usual suspects, there are also train-specific allusions, for example to “Runaway Train” or “Unstoppable – Out of Control”. In addition to all of this, we are treated to a surprising surrealistic moment that happens right at the beginning and which most viewers have probably long since forgotten by the end: Immediately after the short opening credits, a train races unbraked towards the train station in the middle of the city before suddenly, and for no apparent reason, simply tipping over on its side. Then a huge hand reaches into the picture and puts the derailed locomotive and trailer back together before the actual story begins – as if nothing had happened.
So does the entire following film take place on a model railway? Or was that – like during a legendary Monty Python sketch – maybe even the hand of God? Apart from this one-off breaking of the fourth wall, “Animally Absorbed” is an easy animation binge that is quite predictable for connoisseurs of such works. Instead, the film impresses with a very appealing look and an exciting, but always cute story about friendship and solidarity – enriched with a little satire on social media and sensationalist journalism. Even if there are perhaps a few too many supporting characters, these do not prevent the audience from understanding the fairly simple plot and enjoying the turbulent events.
Conclusion: For action fans with children, this is a great opportunity to gently introduce young cinephiles to their favorite genre.