I'm fond of animation, and so when come across an offering that is outside the mainstream, monopolistic, modern rather repetitive stylings, they should be sought out.
Especially this one as it is an earlier entry into CGI - human espcially* - rendition, from, I gather, originally a more or less amateur, learn as you go along, (gaming) enthusiasts, and for which, on those terms alone this is worth the time of entry watch:
The opening (3D like) see through traversing sequence is impressive (particularly for its age) so much so it remains something modern sci-fis could still learn from, and the monsters and the 'baddies' rendered impressively - or rather, horrifically ugly - all post Giger / Terminator 2 liquidness, with some amusing insectoid-like sidkick roles.
However, despite a refreshing subtext of all life is sacred, therefore live and let live and beware following false prophets and the ultimate charade of unquestioning religious belief is (so, quite challenging perceptive, there), otherwise its story arc is unfortunately rather so so (pinched from many familair sources) = the well worn reluctant, unknowing prophet line even reinforced by the soundtrack sounding occasionally like similar theme 'Dune' (although latterly also from a Farid Rasslan some James Bond like themes c. John Barry era): yet, with the number of writers on board - some seven or eight, (including even famed A. Jodowrosky even = 'additional screenplay material'), presumably groupthink overwhelmed them as otherwise you'd think it would have plotted better. And then all layered upon and through a more or less dark monochromatic palette mostly of sepia (brown), occasionally blue, which washes out any other intended or supposed colours.
*the lead eponymous character, Kaena, is rather curvaceously rendered in an sort of unmistakably (gamer) Lara Croft way; other human(oid) characters show a disconcerting (early CGI) kids 'doll's/puppet-head' like characterisation - Gommy named not only suspiciously, but also seemingly characterised like some sort of Gollum like clone - and as for the young (literally!) wide eyed innocent heroine struck lad, especially so with almost fryng pan face hit troll look!
BTW: Nornmally preferring to hear non-English dialogue films in original language (i.e. this French production), subtitled - as, of course, the usual way you should see (hear) such - still, it is noteworthy that in the English dub you can get to hear veteran UK actor, Richard Harris' dulcet tones voice 'Opaz' in a last performance before his death and indeed, for me the baddy 'Volem' monster, voiced by a Keith David, unusually came across more menacingly than the original French.
So: warch it twice: second in English dub just to listen.
The opening (3D like) see through traversing sequence is impressive (particularly for its age) so much so it remains something modern sci-fis could still learn from, and the monsters and the 'baddies' rendered impressively - or rather, horrifically ugly - all post Giger / Terminator 2 liquidness, with some amusing insectoid-like sidkick roles.
However, despite a refreshing subtext of all life is sacred, therefore live and let live and beware following false prophets and the ultimate charade of unquestioning religious belief is (so, quite challenging perceptive, there), otherwise its story arc is unfortunately rather so so (pinched from many familair sources) = the well worn reluctant, unknowing prophet line even reinforced by the soundtrack sounding occasionally like similar theme 'Dune' (although latterly also from a Farid Rasslan some James Bond like themes c. John Barry era): yet, with the number of writers on board - some seven or eight, (including even famed A. Jodowrosky even = 'additional screenplay material'), presumably groupthink overwhelmed them as otherwise you'd think it would have plotted better. And then all layered upon and through a more or less dark monochromatic palette mostly of sepia (brown), occasionally blue, which washes out any other intended or supposed colours.
*the lead eponymous character, Kaena, is rather curvaceously rendered in an sort of unmistakably (gamer) Lara Croft way; other human(oid) characters show a disconcerting (early CGI) kids 'doll's/puppet-head' like characterisation - Gommy named not only suspiciously, but also seemingly characterised like some sort of Gollum like clone - and as for the young (literally!) wide eyed innocent heroine struck lad, especially so with almost fryng pan face hit troll look!
BTW: Nornmally preferring to hear non-English dialogue films in original language (i.e. this French production), subtitled - as, of course, the usual way you should see (hear) such - still, it is noteworthy that in the English dub you can get to hear veteran UK actor, Richard Harris' dulcet tones voice 'Opaz' in a last performance before his death and indeed, for me the baddy 'Volem' monster, voiced by a Keith David, unusually came across more menacingly than the original French.
So: warch it twice: second in English dub just to listen.