April and the Extraordinary World

Today’s quick review: April and the Extraordinary World. In an alternate 1941, the disappearance of the world’s scientists has caused technology to stagnate. April, a young girl living on the streets of Paris, attempts to recreate her missing parents’ research: a serum that will render a living organism invulnerable. But as she draws nearer to the correct formula, strange forces take an interest in her work.

April and the Extraordinary World is a French animated science fiction adventure. April and the Extraordinary World presents an elaborate alternate history where the prolongation of the Steam Age and the continued supremacy of the French Empire have changed the course of human development. The style of science fiction on display is a mixture of steampunk and the pulp adventures of the early 20th century.

April and the Extraordinary World has decent overall execution. The plot has a few awkward contrivances, but it never loses its momentum. The characters never quite enchant, but they are likable enough to root for. The art style resembles a European comic book: thick lines, flat shading, and realistic but simplified human figures, plus detailed backgrounds that bring the world to life. The voice cast includes Paul Giamatti, Susan Sarandon, and J.K. Simmons.

April and the Extraordinary World resorts to heavy machinery to advance its plot. The movie make use of expository narration, time jumps, and similar devices to get its pieces into play, and the setup alone takes over half an hour. The payoff is an unusually well-crafted world, but it comes at the cost of a natural story. April’s world is the result of not just one change, but a series of them, strung together in a careful, deliberate pattern.

Watch April and the Extraordinary World if you are a fan of throwback speculative fiction. The movie is missing the charming characters and graceful plot needed to make the most of its setting, but it gets enough right to engage fans of the genre. For a stylized sci-fi set in a similar era, check out Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. For an animated adventure with similar elements, check out Castle in the Sky.

7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for an impressive world and a creative sci-fi story.

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