Presented at the prestigious Cannes and Annecy festivals, Mars Express arrived in our cinemas this week. This nugget of animation and science fiction by Jeremy Perrin, which also borrows heavily from film noir, has been very well received by the French press, giving it an average rating of 4 out of 5 (on AlloCiné, 21 for media).
It’s not only the best feature film of the week, but the third best animated film of 2023, behind Spider-Man: Along the Spider-Verse (4.05) and Linda Wants Chicken! (4.13/5). In addition, Mars Express also has a very good viewership average of 4.2/5.
What are you doing?
In the year 2200, Aline Ruby, a stubborn private detective, and Carlos Rivera, her android partner, are hired by a wealthy businessman to apprehend a notorious hacker on Earth.
Back on Mars, a new case takes them deep into the bowels of the Martian capital of Noctis in search of a missing cybernetics student, Jun Chau. Noctis is their city, a libertarian utopia made possible by advances in robotics, an emblem of a star-turned future.
Throughout their investigation, they will be exposed to their city’s darkest secrets; Its corrupt institutions, its trafficking, its brain farms and the shenanigans of all-powerful corporations. But the enhanced cyber assassins also targeted Jun Chou.
Aline and Carlos are in a desperate race to save this young woman who, unbeknownst to them, holds a secret that could threaten the precarious balance on which their civilization rests..
What does the press think?
According to IGN France:
“Mars Express is a wonderful, sci-fi planet opera premise distilled into a dark exploration of the Martian sinkhole, the film offers entertainment that is intelligent and well-animated, based on the premise and inspiration of what is best done… (Damien Hiller) 5/5
According to Télérama:
“Visually stunning, the film uses a subtle realism that constantly blurs the lines between humans and robots, sharing the same humor in the heart of the automaton. Jeremy Perrin weaves an epic cyberthriller through the science of animation, ending with a shocking speech and two questions. What is a robot? And mirroring, what Is there a person? (Damien Hillier) 5/5
According to CinemaTeaser:
“Mars Express proves the high standard of French adult animation.” (Perrin Queneson) 4/5
According to La Croix:
A rare foray into science fiction in a French animated film, Jérémy Perrin’s Mars Express offers a beautiful reflection, laced with action and humor, of the place of robots in tomorrow’s world. (Stephan Dreyfus) 4/5
According to La Voix du Nord:
The wonder of animation. We fell in love with this cyberpunk sci-fi mixed with thriller-noir, not intended for young audiences, created in five French studios, including one in Lille.” (Christophe Caron) 4/5
According to the Prime Minister:
“Vertigo comes as it does during the staging—crazy action sequences as well as quiet moments shot in the same mania—as in a rather unique visual style, at the junction of glacial realism and Japanese exaggerations. After that, it’s French SF. Never be the same.” (Francois Leger) 4/5
According to magazine du Dimanche:
“A thrilling story in form, daring and skillful in substance.” (Baptist Theon) 4/5
According to Les Inrockuptibles:
“If the film is only about existential and metaphysical questions, its haunting clarity allows it to create a rather subversive final image in which earthly humanity is finally abandoned to robots. An extremely pleasant curiosity in the French landscape.” (Ludovic Beau) 4/5
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
