#Arthur revenge of maltazard movie series#

Once the stage is set for Arthur’s return to the Invisibles’ kingdom, where he hopes to meet up with the cute but way-too-scantily-clad Princess Selenia (Selena Gomez), the film picks up speed but also enters some bizarre realms. Set again for no apparent reason in 1960s Connecticut and featuring a pair of adventurous grandparents (Mia Farrow, Ronald Crawford), worrywart parents (Robert Stanton, Penny Balfour) and a clan of African tribesman dressed in laughable costumes and camping out in a nearby forest, the live portions are meant to propel the plot forward but wind up mostly slowing it down. After this initial sequence, which showcases Besson’s more-is-less approach to 3D imagery and his predilection for action scenes that are cute rather than convincing, the live-action narrative takes over for several reels. Whereas the first film took great pains and a long time to explain how young Arthur (Freddie Highmore) used a tribal ritual to shrink himself into a pint-sized gnome, the sequel doesn’t waste a second introducing us to the tiny animated land located in the boy’s backyard. Still, “Invisibles” grossed more than $100 million worldwide (though it eked out only $15.1 million Stateside), while a massive local marketing campaign involving Europe’s largest bank, and distribution in more than 800 French theaters, all but guarantees that parts two and three (which will be released in December 2010) will be seen - though primarily by younger Francophone auds.

#Arthur revenge of maltazard movie series#

Based on a concept (created by Patrice Garcia) that began with 2006’s “Arthur and the Invisibles,” and which since has spawned a series of books, comicbooks, videogames, product tie-ins and even a theme-park ride in France, the “Arthur” series nonetheless seems to be missing those elements needed to build a powerful franchise: originality, compelling characters and a storyline that’s both engaging and surprising.