The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec

Inspired by Jacques Tardi's European comic book series, director Luc Besson's Edwardian special-effects-laden whimsical fantasy set in 1912 stars Louise Bourgoin as a one-woman, uh, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Adèle Blanc-Sec is a fearless French Nellie Bly-style globetrotting reporter, who travels to Egypt in order to steal the 4,000-year-old mummy of ancient Egypt's greatest physician. Her ultimate objective: revive the long-dead doctor to help heal Adèle's comatose twin sister. Unfortunately, the eccentric old professor who is actually able to resurrect the trussed-up dead Egyptian is stuck in prison, although he is psychically bonded to a newly-hatched pterodactyl that is terrorizing Paris. Elements of Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, the Brendan Fraser Mummy romps and Warren Beatty's Dick Tracy (makeup distorts many character's faces into funny-papers dimensions) combine here to make for a giddy, lighthearted, comedy-fantasy family-fare bonbon. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a “making-of” featurette (25 min.), deleted scenes (2 min.), and a music featurette (2 min.), Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an entertaining film.] (C. Cassady)