DVD review
Directed by Luc Besson
Starring Freddie Highmore, Mia Farrow, the voices of Madonna, Harvey Keitel, David Bowie
Release date 25 June 2007

When 10-year-old Arthur discovers his granddad’s secret diary, he learns about a magical kingdom in his back garden, which he can access by shrinking down to the size of a Minimoy – the tiny beings that inhabit this world…

Arthur and the Invisibles (or Arthur et les Minimoys as it’s known in France) is an enjoyably diverse children’s fantasy that mixes live action and animated adventure. Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, Snoop Dogg and Madonna all lend their distinctive voices to the characters, while Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’s Freddie Highmore makes for a natural and likeable lead.

But it is David Bowie who steals the movie, as the gloriously despicable Maltazard – a character that bears more than a passing resemblance to Bowie’s unforgettable Goblin Prince in 80s classic Labyrinth. The troll-like Minimoys themselves look rather bland and expressionless, however, so it takes a while to warm to some of these tiny characters.

Yet this is a project that is obviously close to director Luc Besson's heart, being based on his own novel. As in Besson's The Fifth Element, many of the action scenes are overblown and difficult to follow, but he never loses sight of the story amid the expensive animation. Two sequels are already in the pipeline.

Disappointingly, the extras on the disc are standard fare. A music video and trip to the studio with Jewel are unlikely to capture the imagination of many kids, while the ‘making of’ featurettes are curiously joyless. Jonathan Wilkins

VERDICT: 6/10
A fun and colourful kiddie adventure, but with only limited adult appeal.

Click here to read an interview with Luc Besson.