DVD Review: The Triplets of Belleville

The Triplets of Belleville is so fantastic it deserves as much praise as possible. Not only does the film work storywise, but its animation truly tops it off as an absolute success. Yes, this is a cartoon.

But this is no b.s. Imation Disney biproduct. This is an independent film produced by a million partnerships from France, Canada, and the like. Another thing that sets this film apart: it was nominated for an Academy Award, twice - best animated feature and best original song.

The Triplets of Belleville shouldn't be considered a musical, however, despite its practically dialogue-free plotline. It's a tale of the relationship between a grandmother and her grandson; she's a club-footed but caring guardian and he's an aspiring cyclist. So when he's kidnapped on the tour de France by dubious henchman, things get tense. And they stay that way; The Triplets of Belleville is a non-stop journey that delves in intelligent hilarity (no Disney fart jokes here, by the way), raw emotion, desparity, and music!

The music is a concoction of ragtime jazz and progressive beats, delivered via the triplets themselves, as they sing, hoop and holler onstage and off. As triplets age, and the story progresses, the music warps; it features the instrumental stylings of a refrigerator grill, a newspaper, a vacuum cleaner and bicycle spokes. It's catchy, to say the least.

Still, the visuals is where it's at. The Tripplets of Belleville features considerably avant garde animation, with characeturized faces and over-the-top body types; obese people inhabit the city of Belleville, a seemingly American city, and cyclists are little more than thighs and calves. But the characetures are true-to-heart and are in no way distracting fromj the depth of the film.

Unfortunately, the Triplets of Belleville is only 81 minutes long. Although the film is perfectly streamlined, with absolutely no fat to it, it leaves audiences wanting a whole lot more. Still, that means there's no superfluous musical numbers and no pandering to corporate tie-ins. This is definately a film for film's sake, but that doesn't mean this one's not for the kids.

In fact, The Triplets of Belleville could do children a lot of good. Instead of the same old dumbed-down comedy written over board meetings, children deserve something that actually entices the mind. Another thing about the film that might help them: the aforementioned body types. Where Disney's characters are drawn with attractive, flawless physiques, those of the Triplets animation team retain their flaws and, therefore, their individuatily. Perhaps children nowadays could use a more natural, more flabby view of the human body? There is a warning though: the movie does feature some naked breasts.

Overall, the Triplets of Belleville is the best movie I have seen in a long time that can deliver to adult and young audiences, while engaging their minds. This is a must-own for familes, young teens, and parents who can't stay awake during movies. It's a musically-driven adventure with plenty of twists and smart resolution.