Sur la piste du Marsupilami (2012)
Directed by Alain Chabat

Film Review

After the disastrous stone-age themed comedy RRRrrrr!!! (2004), Alain Chabat amply redeems himself with his latest blockbuster flight of fancy, inspired by a popular creation of the Belgian comic book artist André Franquin.  The adorable monkey-like Marsupilami originally featured in Franquin's Spirou et Fantasio comic books (as far back as 1951), before he had his own spin-off album in the late 1980s.  The Marsupilami then appeared in two animated television series and even had an asteroid (98494) named after it.  Now, thanks to Alain Chabat and the marvels of CGI special effects, the Marsupilami has been unleashed onto the big screen, in what will no doubt be the first of a series of popular, over-marketed films.

Sur la piste du Marsupilami (a.k.a. HOUBA! On the Trail of the Marsupilami) has the distinction of being the first full-length French film to be shown in IMAX cinemas, although the film was originally shot on 35mm film and later converted via the IMAX Digital Media Remastering process. The somewhat rambling plot follows Chabat and his over-earnest sidekick Jamel Debbouze on a seemingly hopeless quest across South America for the mythical creature.   Along the way they encounter an old botonist (Fred Testot) who is rejuvenated by a magical plant and a dictator (Lambert Wilson) who becomes obsessed with Céline Dion (a poor substitute for the Marsupilami in the cuteness stakes).

Whilst the film is far less satisfying than Chabat's previous hit comedy Astérix et Obélix Mission Cléopâtre (2002) it is a similarly boisterous romp which is sustained by the sheer abundance of its gags, some of which are guaranteed to bring the house down, whilst others will leave you feeling like you've ingested a stale kebab too many.  Whilst the film makes good use of its exotic locations and is visually striking throughout, Chabat's direction shows little of the inspired touch seen in his previous films.  The script lacks both focus and discipline and is little more than a compendium of jokes carelessly draped over a completely aimless narrative. Fortunately, Chabat and Debbouze are both equipped with enough comedy know-how to keep the overblown juggernaut on the road, aided and abetted by such reliable humour merchants as Patrick Timsit and Fred Testot.

A shamelessly commercial production, the film tries hard to appeal to everyone, from the age of six upwards, but it often seems to be torn between being an anaemic Disney-like fantasy and a grown-up comedy (in the pattern of the popular French television series which Chabat helped to create in the late 1980s, Les Nuls).  Occasionally, Chabat and company appear to forget that the film is marketed at a family audience and allow some distinctly adult humour to come to the fore - not that this harms the film's appeal.  Thanks no doubt to some aggressive marketing, Sur la piste du Marsupilami was one of the biggest hits at the French box office in 2012, attracting an audience of 5.3 million.  The one area in which the film excels is its 3D effects, which allow the Marsupilami to make a convincing transition from comic books into the real world.  Now that the irresistibly cute monkey-like creature has found its way into cinema, we will probably never see the back of it - and you can bet the merchandisers are rubbing their hands with glee...

Film Synopsis

When Dan Geraldo, a reporter looking for his next scoop, arrives in the South American country of Palombia, he can have no idea of the adventures that lie in store for him.  With the help of Pablito, a resourceful local guide, he will encounter one surprise after another, but the greatest surprise will be the discovery of the mythical Marsupilami...