Adele Blanc-Sec (Louise Bourgoin) is an author and adventurist from Paris.  Her latest journey takes her to retrieve an Egyptian mummy she believes to be a doctor who can cure her twin sister.  Meanwhile, the scientist who can bring the mummy back to life decides to bring a pterodactyl to life which begins to terrorize Paris.  A police detective is hired to stop the pterodactyl which complicates things for Adele’s quest to bring back her sister.

THE EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES OF ADELE BLANC-SEC is a funny and adventurous movie which manages to mix Amelie in some parts with a dash of European humor and adventure story (like the type you see in Tintin and Indiana Jones).  Luc Besson manages to write and direct a great adaptation of two Jacques Tardi’s graphic novel stories in a delightful tale which is at least ten times better than the lackluster THE FAMILY.  This is Besson’s best film since THE FIFTH ELEMENT as a write rand director.  The production design manages to create a full and believable world while Louise Bourgoin manages to make the stubborn Adele a likeable character.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

THE MAKING OF THE EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES OF ADELE BLANC-SEC tells how Luc Besson managed to make the movie (after first failing to secure the rights to it years before he managed to secure the rights), finding actors who could be the characters and look like the characters in the comics, production design, using CGI to help recreate Paris of 2012, and Tardi being impressed by Louise Bourgoin and the sets.

Four deleted scenes are flashbacks that flesh out the back story of the rivalry between Adele and her sister Agathe.

The music featurette is a quick two minute piece where they get Louise Bourgoin sing for a song in the movie.

Also included in the combo pack is the movie in standard definition on DVD and a code to obtain a digital copy of the movie.

FINAL ANALYSIS:  THE EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES OF ADELE BLANC-SEC is a very enjoyable film with excellent production design.  This is the best Luc Besson movie since THE FIFTH ELEMENT.  I hope they get to make a sequel, but I would like to this character on screen again.

This blu-ray review is ©10-10-2013 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com

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