I had absolutely no expectations going into this movie, not even aware that it was a sequel in itself. The film came to our attention being distributed by a Quebecois company.
This french film can be described as a "spoof"-like semi-absurd comedy on the good old Sean Connery era of James Bond spy/action films in the mid-late 60s.
The film in itself is very well shot: the use of mosaic-like multi-images throughout never seems tedious nor gratuitous (save maybe for the introductory scene playing as the crédits roll) although after a while may proove to be epileptic-inducing. The photography is brilliant and deserves a mention.
The production design, and especially the recreation of the mid-late 60s is also of note, being quite spectacular in being very true to what we may remember from films of that era, save perhaps for a few wardrobe choices for some of the smaller roles. Still, the fact that pristine and working vintage cars appear throughout this film is an accomplishement in itself!
However the film is quite "off" - the humor never gets too "slapstick" although it borderlines so, never gets too "juvenile", although it does surf the fine line on more than one occasion. The humor is quite unique in this film, being both very "french" while also being unlike the commonalities we seem to have gotten used to in modern spoof-humor. Sometimes gags are over-played but stop just before the tipping point, and other times some bits seem placed just because the opportunity presented itself.
In the end I could not say I did not enjoy seeing this film, but I admit I can not see any re-watcheability factor to it. Granted, it is indeed unique and Nothing I have seen is any "weird" the way this movie is, but for my money, I think that once was enough, which accounts for my ranting of course.
This french film can be described as a "spoof"-like semi-absurd comedy on the good old Sean Connery era of James Bond spy/action films in the mid-late 60s.
The film in itself is very well shot: the use of mosaic-like multi-images throughout never seems tedious nor gratuitous (save maybe for the introductory scene playing as the crédits roll) although after a while may proove to be epileptic-inducing. The photography is brilliant and deserves a mention.
The production design, and especially the recreation of the mid-late 60s is also of note, being quite spectacular in being very true to what we may remember from films of that era, save perhaps for a few wardrobe choices for some of the smaller roles. Still, the fact that pristine and working vintage cars appear throughout this film is an accomplishement in itself!
However the film is quite "off" - the humor never gets too "slapstick" although it borderlines so, never gets too "juvenile", although it does surf the fine line on more than one occasion. The humor is quite unique in this film, being both very "french" while also being unlike the commonalities we seem to have gotten used to in modern spoof-humor. Sometimes gags are over-played but stop just before the tipping point, and other times some bits seem placed just because the opportunity presented itself.
In the end I could not say I did not enjoy seeing this film, but I admit I can not see any re-watcheability factor to it. Granted, it is indeed unique and Nothing I have seen is any "weird" the way this movie is, but for my money, I think that once was enough, which accounts for my ranting of course.