(Re)discover “On the trail of the Marsupilami”, a delightful little trip to Palombia concocted for us by Alain Chabat, based on the famous comics by Franquin.
While his show is dangerously threatened by plummeting audiences, journalist Dan Geraldo has no choice but to accept a new report in South America, on the footsteps of the Paya people who live in the heart of the Palombian forest. Arriving there, he meets his guide, a debt-ridden local schemer called Pablito Camaron.
The latter, however, claims to be able to lead Geraldo to the natives he is looking for, and even in the footsteps of a legendary animal, reputed to be imaginary but very real: the famous Marsupilami.
At the same time, the mischievous little animal is also the target of another protagonist: the fifty-year-old botanist Hermoso hopes to use the orchids collected by the Marsupilami to concoct a filter of youth, and regain its prime youth.
Let’s say it bluntly, if it were a question of comparing the comic book adaptations in the career of Alain Chabat, it is to Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra that the Palme would undeniably go. But at the very moment when the French filmmaker is preparing new Gallic adventures for us (with the future Netflix series Le Combat des Chefs), why don’t we exceptionally leave the universe of Goscinny and Uderzo to visit that of Franquin?
Less known to the general public but just as precious in the eyes of Alain Chabat, the world in which the Marsupilami evolves (as well as Spirou and Fantasio or even Gaston Lagaffe), has now given rise to several live action adaptations.
In 2012, it was Chabat that had the honor of opening the ball with a film that exuded the filmmaker’s love for Franquin’s work, while offering fans a completely new adventure, imbued with the spirit Dummies.
Pathé Distribution
Like Mission Cleopatra or The City of Fear, On the Trail of the Marsupilami (available on Netflix) is therefore a real minefield of gags, and unleashes a valve every three seconds or so, without leaving us the time to catch our breath.
Carried by an absurd and unexpected humor, the film knows how to rely on its very good cast: the effective duo formed by Alain Chabat and Jamel Debouzze, who had not really had the opportunity to give the reply in Asterix, an excellent Fred Testot as a bad scientist, and a Lambert Wilson like you’ve never seen him before, in the costume of a Celine Dion fan dictator.
Let’s not forget either the Marsupilami itself, very nicely made in computer graphics, and just as cute as in the comics (which should soon be adapted again by Philippe Lacheau).
Pathé Distribution
Without reaching the level of Mission Cleopatra, this film released ten years later will in any case allow you to spend a pleasant moment with friends or family, and perhaps to discover a new universe. If you liked the adventure, we will advise you to extend it by reading the collection of Spirou and Fantasioand more particularly the album Spirou and the heirsin which the Marsupilami appears for the very first time.
(Re)discover false connections in Alain Chabat’s films…