Jean-Pierre Jeunet previously spun tales of the bizarre in "Delicatessen" and "The City of Lost Children" before going mainstream with "Amelie" and "A Very Long Engagement" (he also directed "Alien: Resurrection", but that's a different story). He returns to the bizarre and adds a geopolitical twist with "Micmacs à tire-larigot" (simply "Micmacs" in English). Dany Boon plays a man who moves in with a group of misfits and then goes on a quest to get revenge on the weapons manufacturers whose products killed his father and then left a bullet lodged in his head. His new friends each have talents that help his scheme at various stages.

This movie has the same sort of feel as "Inglourious Basterds" in the sense of going after those who have caused death and destruction, almost to the extent that the scheme might come across as a terrorist plot, as if to induce an orgasm. And I love it! Literally every scene has something new and clever. It is quite simply a fun movie, and one with a political theme at that. Definitely one that I would recommend for an Oscar. Jeunet regular Dominique Pinon plays Fracasse, who spends his life trying to get in the Guinness Book of World Records.

PS: the French title means "non-stop shenanigans"

Bazil as a child loses his father to a landmine in Morocco. 30 years later, Bazil is a video store clerk and filmophile. He gets hit with a stray bullet and hospitalized. He loses his job to hot girl Lola and is now homeless. He befriends ex-con Slammer and his band of eccentric junk dealers. When Bazil finds the weapons manufacturers that caused his misery, the oddball family get together to take revenge.

I just don't find Bazil that appealing or compelling. Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet creates another fanciful slice of France like Amélie. But Dany Boon is no Audrey Tautou. This is a visually inventive movie, but the characters aren't very interesting. They feel like a random selection of people from all the different colors and races selected by an advertising company. And I don't care about any of them.

Jean-Pierre Jeunet is probably the most exciting film maker today. Sadly, though, he isn't all that prolific. But, when he releases a new film I am sure to see it as so many of his movies are brilliant and 100% unique--something you can't say about most people in the industry. So far, he's only directed six full-length films but they include the wonderful "Amélie", "A Very Long Engagement", "Delicatessen" and "City of Lost Children". This is a veritable pantheon of weirdness--and I can't believe his track record.

The film stars Dany Boon ("The Valet", "Joyeaux Noel" and other films). He is severely injured in a senseless accident. When he gets out of the hospital, he's lost his home and his job. He survives by living on the street and using his wits. Eventually, he's approached by a man representing a group of weirdos who live among the refuse and scavenge. However, these are not ordinary homeless folks--many of them have amazing skills--such as extreme flexibility, the ability to act as a human cannonball, etc.. In many ways, they are a bit like the folks from "Mystery Men" or the TV show "The Head"--strange yet lovable.

Boon has an ax to grind. It seems that the bullet and gun that injured him was made by some VERY irresponsible arms dealers--the sort who have no scruples and like the idea of maiming as many as possible with their weapons. So, Boon decides he will destroy these man--and his new friends will help. Their plan is complex and much like what you'd see in an episode of "Mission: Impossible" if it starred people from a carnival! And, despite the seriousness of the matter, it all manages to be funny and a bit dark--but mostly funny.

The film has TONS of weird and almost impossible to describe moments. It's a great example of a film you can't really describe but one you just need to see for yourself--especially since Jeunet is such a visual director. And, it is well worth it for many reasons other than just the highly imaginative plot. The acting is great, the characters terrific and the director's style is second to none. See this film! And, if you do, look for all the odd looking characters--much like you'd do in a Fellini film. My favorite was the one bit character that looked for all the world like Marlon Brando!