Monster of the Day #3692

Updated on April 17, 2025 By Ken Begg 5 Comments

We finally got out of the ’50s and ’60s, but there was continuity. Next up (I *think* Jamie and Mike suggested it?) was the French film The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec (2010). It was a pre-WWI set Perils of Pauline type film with mummies–lots of mummies this weekend. I knew I wouldn’t love it when I saw it was directed by Luc Besson. There was a period when I saw a ton of Besson action films, because I really like action films, but I never loved any of them. So like most of those, I’d call this a (for myself) three our of four stars. So don’t get me wrong, the movie is fine, but there just something about Besson that doesn’t allow me to really dig his work. Again, though, this isn’t a thumbs down. It’s a very whimsical film that I can see appealing to a lot of people.

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  • Beckoning Chasm

    I absolutely love "The Fifth Element" but I kind of agree, Ken–the other films I've seen of Besson's look great, and I can admire them, but they don't really resonate with me. "Valerian" looks stunning but it would have been great if they'd had actors instead of planks of wood.
    I've never even heard of this one.

  • 🐻 bgbear_rnh

    No scones for me. I am watching my weight.

  • The Rev.

    My recollection is Chad recommended it, but maybe he just had the copy? Maybe not. Either way, I was pretty happy because I'd seen this before and quite enjoyed it. "Whimsical" is a good descriptor. It's a whimsical romp with mummies and pterodactyls and poorly-explained magic powers and beautiful French women and other shenanigans.

  • Ken_Begg

    Yes, again, I don't want to sound like I'm knocking the film. I've just given up on the idea that Besson will ever make a film that really grabs me. And that's OK, he has other things to worry about, I'm sure.

  • Gamera977

    Yeah, my opinion too. 'Valerian' had the a weird wacky premise just like 'TFE' but it never seemed to gel. And the leads were awful. Planks of wood is a good description. The CGI creatures had more personality.