DVD Corner

The Triplets Of Belleville Blu-ray Review

“The Triplets Of Belleville” is delightfully weird.

In 2003’s animated feature “The Triplets Of Belleville,” the story focuses on Champion and his grandmother Souza. As a child, Champion was feeling down until he got a tricycle. As an adult, Champion is now so obsessed with cycling that he is competing in the Tour de France race. Alas, he and two other cyclists become abducted by mobsters for a deadly gambling operation. Souza and the overweight family dog Bruno give chase and arrive in Belleville where they encounter the titular triplets. The triplets were once youthful singers, but are now elderly poor women who still perform. With the help of the triplets, Souza and Bruno just might be able to rescue Champion before it’s too late. 

Written and directed by Sylvain Chomet, “The Triplets Of Belleville” (which was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Film) is a wholly original animated feature that is mostly presented without dialogue. In many ways, it almost feels like an ode to silent films with its reliance on sight gags, character actions, and visual storytelling. It’s a stylish and uniquely animated tale that is loaded with quirky characters (like Bruno would barks at every passing train and even dreams about them), a light free flowing story, and plenty of oddball moments involving everything from frog meals to one of the weirdest climactic chase scenes you’ll probably ever see. The whole film feels like a refreshing change of pace from other animated features in the past 24 years.

‘Triplets’ also boasts a supremely catchy song that is played early on in the film titled “Belleville Rendez-Vous.” The song (which was nominated for an Oscar) is an earworm if there ever was one. It’s also a fun little throwback to 20’s and 30’s era music.

It’s a shame Chomet has so few feature films out as he clearly has a unique voice in the animated world. Thankfully, a new Chomet film is due out in the near future. If it’s anything like ‘Triplets,’ we’re in for a treat.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.66:1 1080p. How does it look? Viewers and fans can expect a quality hi-def transfer.

Audio Track: French 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? There may not be much dialogue, but the music is sharp with this 5.1 track.

xtras:
* Theatrical trailer
* “Belleville Rendez-Vous” music video.
* Commentary on 3 scenes by Sylvain Chomet
* “The Cartoon According To Sylvain Chomet”- A look at how he draws the characters.
* “The Making Of The Triplets Of Belleville” featurette.
* “The Magnificent Life Of Marcel Pagnol Teaser With Introduction By Director Sylvain Chomet”- A look at the forthcoming new film by Chomet.

February 22, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | animation, Oscars, Sylvain Chomet, The Triplets Of Belleville Blu-ray Review