Filmfestivalen 2016

I have
come to expect a certain level of weirdness and visual innovation from Gondry,
but in M&G it’s just too…. little.
It’s all too normal, and unfortunately the story is not gripping enough, nor
are the protagonists fascinating enough to catch my attention. At least in the
beginning; as the boys leave on their road trip, the pace quickens, and
eventually Gondry’s patented shenanigans shine through. It’s too little, too
late, though. Nevertheless, Microbe & Gasoile would probably have worked
better without the high expectations.

Failed
the Bechdel test

3 seconds
of 6

https://festival.giff.se/events/microbe-gasoline
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3882000/

The first
thing one notices is the amazing animation, drawing (no pun intended) from the
franco-belgian bande dessinée tradition.

The story
seems, at least casually, inspired by Pullman’s His dark materials : A girl
hides in a place of learning, overhears about the exploits of her older
relative in the far north and decides to go herself.

But there
are no daemons here, or magic, other than the magic of friendship and
self-growth. A rather straightforward story, told in a no-nonsense way, makes for an entertaining journey from St
Petersburg to Novaja Zemlja, Franz Joseph’s Land and back. It would have
benefitted from more tension and drama, but all in all, it’s a visually
stunning film about overcoming one’s own doubts.

Passed
the Bechdel test.

4 polar
bears of 6

https://festival.giff.se/events/long-way-north
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2262345/?ref_=nm_knf_t3