Luc Besson

A cab driver helps a genetically engineered girl save the world.

A shameless and uninhibited celebration of 1970s and 80s sci-fi artwork and movies. Lots of fun. It pulls off a nearly impossible balance of not taking itself seriously, but also not quite being a comedy. It should never have worked - should have turned out a disastrous, big-budget sci-fi version of Hudson Hawk - but somehow it does work.

Concept: B
Story: B
Characters: B
Dialog: B
Pacing: A
Cinematography: B
Special effects/design: show more A
Acting: B
Music: B

Enjoyment: A

GPA: 3.3/4 show less

An absolutely charming read. The characters had distinct personalities, grating as some were, and for what is essentially a children's book, I still found myself on edge several times. I'm kind of looking forward to seeing the movie adaptation now.

I read the first two books while I was at school. Now, reading the last book as an adult, has made me realise how dysfunctional the romantic arc in the story actually is. The only way for Arthur and Selenia's love to work is for them to be seperated 95% of the time. Product of a commitment-shy culture, perhaps?

I thought the Gorge Lucas cameo ("backstory") was very funny. There was no reason for Besson to put it in but I had to laugh.

Hilarious fun. Like those old British plays where all the characters talk at cross purposes and misunderstand each other and where precise timing is essential to the confusion.