THE OPINION OF THE “WORLD” – MUST SEE
After their previous feature film, Dofus, book 1. Julith (2016), whose failure did not lead to a new opus, screenwriter Anthony Roux and his co-director Jean-Jacques Denis have chosen to leave aside the pop universe intended for pre-teens to return to more simplicity, but also to a younger audience. Sound decision, which gave Dragon Princess, animated film mostly produced in 2D (in the French studios of Ankama), with an aesthetic reminiscent of old illustrated storybooks, and history, traditional children’s stories.
Linear story, “watercolor” decorations of pure beauty, soft colors and characters drawn with fine lines contribute to a harmony which nothing comes to disturb, not even the scenes of confrontation which mark out the scenario. Because it is above all, in Dragon Princess, despite the short duration of the film, to take the time to observe nature, this and those around us. The invitation echoing the subject of the film, namely that money does not buy happiness, unless you choose to share it. Comment likely to be able to carry some other messages – in particular on the acceptance of the difference, the emancipation of the little girls.
Build yourself according to your own wishes
Because, at the start, all is not won for Poil, the little girl of the Dragon who has just emerged from her egg, at the same time as her two brothers. First, although possessing the strength and powers of a dragon, it is to a human being that she resembles and not to her fellows. Then, it is her that his father decides to sacrifice when the “witch” (witch-frog) demands of him his most precious possession. From then on, the little girl without the scale and the thick hair has no other choice but to run away, to leave the family cave and to find refuge in the world of men.
This touch of classicism, without show off but skilfully mastered, gives the film this particular charm.
The encounter with another little girl, Princess, leads Poil to the castle of the king, tyrannical and greedy ruler who wishes to marry his daughter against her will to the son of a wealthy count. Together, the two young friends will fight to free a queen imprisoned by her husband, to reconcile reptiles and humans, to distribute among all the wealth held by a few. And, in passing, to conquer, each one, the right to build oneself according to his own wishes, and not that of the parents.
Anthony Roux and Jean-Jacques Denis claim to have been inspired, for the graphics of Dragon Princess, illustrations by artists such as Gustave Doré, Arthur Rackham and Edmond Dulac. References which led them to use a restricted palette of colors, to limit the effects of contrasts in favor of a harmonious assembly of shadows and lights, of halftone, mineral and vegetable nuances. It is this touch of classicism, without show-off but skilfully mastered, which gives the film this particular charm. Charming a bit old-fashioned, almost naive and deliciously timeless.
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