Luc Besson Books

this book was cool i still haven't finished it! i love the battle scenes and the minimoy parts. the movie is going to come out soon so i can't wait to see it in theatres! you better buy this book or you'll regret it once you see the movie1

Jim Dale is the most brilliant audio book performer in the world. He is as wonderful here as on the Harry Potter audios. I enjoyed this story immensely. The three main characters - Arthur, Selenia, and Beta - are all engaging. The story has an endearing sweetness. I just loved this and would very highly recommend it.

Congratulations must go to Susan Hayward for writing this wonderful study of one of the world's greatest directors. This book goes into the marvellous detail that so many leave out. Of particular interest is the study of violence, and the 'fear of youth' concept.

The whole book is incredibly well-written and excellently set-out, with colorful and relevant illustrations where necessary. Even the more difficult to grasp concepts are explained perefectly so as not to alienate the less film-literate readers. It seems as though Ms. Hayward has a particular affinity for 'Leon', which is studied at length, again in a very approachable and yet insightful manner.

In conclusion, it is fair to say that this book is the perfect springboard into appreciateing the films of Luc Besson, perhaps of French cinema as a whole.

Heartily reccomended.

This sequel to Arthur and the Minimoys is still a Honey I Shrunk the Kids meets The Secret of Nimh with a smidge of Indiana Jones conglomeration, and I rather like that about it. In this book, we pick up right where the first one left off and we get answers to all the questions left unanswered before -- Will they make it to the Forbidden City? Will they be able to stop the evil M, the cursed? Will Arthur get the treasure back before the cruel Mr. Davido boots his grandma out of her house? We also find out just how vile Maltazard is, we get a look at the Necropolis and of course, the lair of the evil villain. The author is also still parrelling the plight of the Grandmother and Mr. Davido with that of Princess Selenia and her people against M. These are the stark good vs. evil kind of stories where you just KNOW the good guys are going to win in the end...but you still find yourself watching because you HAVE to know HOW they do it and how it all plays out in the end.

In the second half we find Arthur married to the princess...a bit surprising since he's ten...but ok. We also get to meet Arthur's parents who are, well, more interested in finding the rubies than the are in finding their son. In fact, other than voicing their concern they don't seem to care at all but that does seem to be the pattern in the child hero/adventure type stories...the parents are either absent (dead) or indifferent (caring more about stuff or work than about their children). This is a convenient plot device which frees the child to be bolder and more heroic than they might otherwise be allowed to, but with suspension of disbelief, readers can disconnect from what is illogical with regards to a ten year old saving the world (Indiana Jones style) and just enjoy the story for what it is!

Overall...this isn't great literature; it's just plain old fun reading. The story is easy to follow, the good guys are all good (and likeable even) the bad guys are all totally evil and the parallel story line between the "real" world (the M, the Cursed and Mr. Davido) and the world of the Minimoys adds a nice second layer to the story. This book would make nice light reading for a couple of nights for readers aged 8-12...nothing too taxing, but highly entertaining for a few hours! I give it four stars.

Wow...

I use to say that writing in books don't do justice to living through events. But in this book I find I want to live these words and in this world. Realationships in this world make more sense they are easier. Kissing and Love this man has these themes down to a "T". Perfect from cover to cover. Just The right amount of humor. I couldn't put it down and I tried. I am so impressed with the writing that I'm learning french in order to reread the first two books and get the second two before they make it to the us translation.

In the sequel to Arthur and the Minimoys, Arthur, Princess Selenia and Prince Beta brave Necropolis, The Forbidden City. Arthur is searching for a lost treasure that will save his family's home, and Selenia and Beta seek the evildoer who threatens their entire people.

In Necropolis, a seedy market leads to a seedier palace, in which danger and fear are the norm. Imprisoned by Maltazard the Cursed, the three adventurers see little hope for escape. What they find in the prison and deeper in the palace will change everything. Hope MUST be found, or all the Minimoys will be doomed.

Although this installment carries the spirit and creativity of the first, it seems to lose some of the promised gusto. Things seem to come together a little too easy at times (a toy race car shows up right when and where it is needed), and a little too stretched at others (why did Arthur's grandmother and parents not to more to search for him while he was missing?).

The story is well crafted, but it is missing that intangible something that a truly great story possesses. It's one of those qualities that is hard to describe, yet easy to recognize. Perhaps it is spirit, or cultural differences, or perhaps it is something else altogether.

This is a decent follow-up to the first book, but in the end, some readers might leave with a lukewarm feeling.

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
9/15/2006

3½-BALLOONS for WUAT Kids!; 4-STARS for Amazon.com

This sequel to Arthur and the Minimoys is still a Honey I Shrunk the Kids meets The Secret of Nimh with a smidge of Indiana Jones conglomeration, and I rather like that about it. In this book, we pick up right where the first one left off and we get answers to all the questions left unanswered before -- Will they make it to the Forbidden City? Will they be able to stop the evil M, the cursed? Will Arthur get the treasure back before the cruel Mr. Davido boots his grandma out of her house? We also find out just how vile Maltazard is, we get a look at the Necropolis and of course, the lair of the evil villain. The author is also still parrelling the plight of the Grandmother and Mr. Davido with that of Princess Selenia and her people against M. These are the stark good vs. evil kind of stories where you just KNOW the good guys are going to win in the end...but you still find yourself watching because you HAVE to know HOW they do it and how it all plays out in the end.

In the second half we find Arthur married to the princess...a bit surprising since he's ten...but ok. We also get to meet Arthur's parents who are, well, more interested in finding the rubies than the are in finding their son. In fact, other than voicing their concern they don't seem to care at all but that does seem to be the pattern in the child hero/adventure type stories...the parents are either absent (dead) or indifferent (caring more about stuff or work than about their children). This is a convenient plot device which frees the child to be bolder and more heroic than they might otherwise be allowed to, but with suspension of disbelief, readers can disconnect from what is illogical with regards to a ten year old saving the world (Indiana Jones style) and just enjoy the story for what it is!

Overall...this isn't great literature; it's just plain old fun reading. The story is easy to follow, the good guys are all good (and likeable even) the bad guys are all totally evil and the parallel story line between the "real" world (the M, the Cursed and Mr. Davido) and the world of the Minimoys adds a nice second layer to the story. This book would make nice light reading for a couple of nights for readers aged 8-12...nothing too taxing, but highly entertaining for a few hours! I give it four stars.

Wow...

I use to say that writing in books don't do justice to living through events. But in this book I find I want to live these words and in this world. Realationships in this world make more sense they are easier. Kissing and Love this man has these themes down to a "T". Perfect from cover to cover. Just The right amount of humor. I couldn't put it down and I tried. I am so impressed with the writing that I'm learning french in order to reread the first two books and get the second two before they make it to the us translation.

In the sequel to Arthur and the Minimoys, Arthur, Princess Selenia and Prince Beta brave Necropolis, The Forbidden City. Arthur is searching for a lost treasure that will save his family's home, and Selenia and Beta seek the evildoer who threatens their entire people.

In Necropolis, a seedy market leads to a seedier palace, in which danger and fear are the norm. Imprisoned by Maltazard the Cursed, the three adventurers see little hope for escape. What they find in the prison and deeper in the palace will change everything. Hope MUST be found, or all the Minimoys will be doomed.

Although this installment carries the spirit and creativity of the first, it seems to lose some of the promised gusto. Things seem to come together a little too easy at times (a toy race car shows up right when and where it is needed), and a little too stretched at others (why did Arthur's grandmother and parents not to more to search for him while he was missing?).

The story is well crafted, but it is missing that intangible something that a truly great story possesses. It's one of those qualities that is hard to describe, yet easy to recognize. Perhaps it is spirit, or cultural differences, or perhaps it is something else altogether.

This is a decent follow-up to the first book, but in the end, some readers might leave with a lukewarm feeling.

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
9/15/2006

3½-BALLOONS for WUAT Kids!; 4-STARS for Amazon.com

hi well to start this book was okay. I liked the movie better but since there are two books I'll just cover them both in this one review. book #1 Arthur and the minimoys,
It was slow at first then it got good and fun then slow then fun and so on and so on. then it ended bad they just got into the forbidden city. which made me kinda mad that you had to buy the second book to know how it ended. Book #2 Arthur and the forbidden city
This one was better it was never slow and had more action and whithout even knowing it Arthur marrys Selenea! And well the excuses to get out of things were not very good. I liked both books okay well gotta go hope this was helpful Brooke

Arthur and the Minimoys was a decent little story, definitely targeted to a younger crowd (pre-teen) and was a relatively decent read. The whole idea was simple yet very interesting.

I only had two issues with the book.

First, there's a definite issue with relative scale. I'm willing to believe in the tiny Minimoy population that's barely 1/2" tall... but nothing 1/2" tall is going to be able to ride on a mosquito. You have to let some of the scale problems go if you're going to read this.

Second, the book pretty much abruptly ends, blatantly leaving you hanging for the sequel, "Arthur and the Forbidden City." It's almost a prerequisite that you get both books (or the combined book, "Arthur and the Invisibles") or you'll never actually know how the story ends.

Other than that, you'll like it. It's simple and fun.

Arthur and the Minimoys is an exciting and interesting science fiction book with a bit of a romantic twist. Arthur is a curious ten year old boy whose grandmother's house is about to be bought by the evil storeowner, Davido. That is unless they can pay off their debt. So, arthur sets out on a journey to find the minimoys, an african tribe who are about 1 inch tall. From the clues Arthur's grandfather left before he disapered- four years ago. I didn't really like this book, but if you like books with a vivid imagination, you will probably like it.

Arhur, a adventurous and curious 10 year old boy is looking for his Grandfather who has vanished 4 years ago and has never returned.

One day when Arthurs Grandmother is reading him a bedtime story they come across a picture of a little but beautiful girl. Arthur beggs his Grandmother to tell him about this girl who is actually the Minimoy Princess. His Grandfather learned about before he vanished.

During this time, Davido, an evil heartless man, is trying to get Arthur's Grandmother to move out of her house. After many times of turning down Davido, he finally gets a way to run Arthur and his Grandmother out of their house. Arthur's Grandmother hasn't been paying her taxes so he has to move out it 72 hours.

Arthur's Grandfather has left a treasure out in the garden. Arthur and his Grandmother have looked everywhere for it and can't seem to find it.

One day when Arthur is looking at the picture of the beautiful little princess, Selenia, he discovers on the back of the page is a map to the Minimoy land. After a long process to get to The Minimoy Land, Arthur learns that even the smallest people can make the biggest difference. Before he can be happy for to long Arthur, the evil henchman M. The Cursed, is trying to destroy the Minimoy Land.

During the adventure to find the treasure, Selenia and her brother, Beta, explain to Arthur the the Evil M. The Cursed is up to trouble. The questions are will they defeat The Evil M., Will Arthur find his Grandfather, and what will happen next in the story.

Arthur and The Minimoys is a good book. If you like adventure, romance, and creative ideas then this book will be great for you.

Arthur and the Minimoys
This book is about a boy named Arthur. Arthur and his grandmother are foghting through a hard time. Davido, the son of the previous owners of Arthur's house, is trying to steal the house back. They have to pay all of their bills to keep their house, so Arthur decides to look for his grandfather's treasure. His grandfather left them without notice, but what they knew was that he hid a treasure in their backyard and that he knew of people called Minimoys. Arthur finds clues in his grandfather's study that lead him to the Minimoys. Once he is there with the Minimoys, they look to him to defeat M. the Cursed. Arthur and the Minimoys go on many adventures throughout their journey, but will Arthur defeat M. the Cursed and find the treasure??? Find out in the sequel: Arthur and the Forbidden City.

hi well to start this book was okay. I liked the movie better but since there are two books I'll just cover them both in this one review. book #1 Arthur and the minimoys,
It was slow at first then it got good and fun then slow then fun and so on and so on. then it ended bad they just got into the forbidden city. which made me kinda mad that you had to buy the second book to know how it ended. Book #2 Arthur and the forbidden city
This one was better it was never slow and had more action and whithout even knowing it Arthur marrys Selenea! And well the excuses to get out of things were not very good. I liked both books okay well gotta go hope this was helpful Brooke

Arthur and the Minimoys was a decent little story, definitely targeted to a younger crowd (pre-teen) and was a relatively decent read. The whole idea was simple yet very interesting.

I only had two issues with the book.

First, there's a definite issue with relative scale. I'm willing to believe in the tiny Minimoy population that's barely 1/2" tall... but nothing 1/2" tall is going to be able to ride on a mosquito. You have to let some of the scale problems go if you're going to read this.

Second, the book pretty much abruptly ends, blatantly leaving you hanging for the sequel, "Arthur and the Forbidden City." It's almost a prerequisite that you get both books (or the combined book, "Arthur and the Invisibles") or you'll never actually know how the story ends.

Other than that, you'll like it. It's simple and fun.

Arthur and the Minimoys is an exciting and interesting science fiction book with a bit of a romantic twist. Arthur is a curious ten year old boy whose grandmother's house is about to be bought by the evil storeowner, Davido. That is unless they can pay off their debt. So, arthur sets out on a journey to find the minimoys, an african tribe who are about 1 inch tall. From the clues Arthur's grandfather left before he disapered- four years ago. I didn't really like this book, but if you like books with a vivid imagination, you will probably like it.

Arhur, a adventurous and curious 10 year old boy is looking for his Grandfather who has vanished 4 years ago and has never returned.

One day when Arthurs Grandmother is reading him a bedtime story they come across a picture of a little but beautiful girl. Arthur beggs his Grandmother to tell him about this girl who is actually the Minimoy Princess. His Grandfather learned about before he vanished.

During this time, Davido, an evil heartless man, is trying to get Arthur's Grandmother to move out of her house. After many times of turning down Davido, he finally gets a way to run Arthur and his Grandmother out of their house. Arthur's Grandmother hasn't been paying her taxes so he has to move out it 72 hours.

Arthur's Grandfather has left a treasure out in the garden. Arthur and his Grandmother have looked everywhere for it and can't seem to find it.

One day when Arthur is looking at the picture of the beautiful little princess, Selenia, he discovers on the back of the page is a map to the Minimoy land. After a long process to get to The Minimoy Land, Arthur learns that even the smallest people can make the biggest difference. Before he can be happy for to long Arthur, the evil henchman M. The Cursed, is trying to destroy the Minimoy Land.

During the adventure to find the treasure, Selenia and her brother, Beta, explain to Arthur the the Evil M. The Cursed is up to trouble. The questions are will they defeat The Evil M., Will Arthur find his Grandfather, and what will happen next in the story.

Arthur and The Minimoys is a good book. If you like adventure, romance, and creative ideas then this book will be great for you.

Arthur and the Minimoys
This book is about a boy named Arthur. Arthur and his grandmother are foghting through a hard time. Davido, the son of the previous owners of Arthur's house, is trying to steal the house back. They have to pay all of their bills to keep their house, so Arthur decides to look for his grandfather's treasure. His grandfather left them without notice, but what they knew was that he hid a treasure in their backyard and that he knew of people called Minimoys. Arthur finds clues in his grandfather's study that lead him to the Minimoys. Once he is there with the Minimoys, they look to him to defeat M. the Cursed. Arthur and the Minimoys go on many adventures throughout their journey, but will Arthur defeat M. the Cursed and find the treasure??? Find out in the sequel: Arthur and the Forbidden City.

Is these DVDs has English subtitles?

My wife is American and doesn't speak Frnach, actually she prefer to read subtitles than listen to a dubbing in French.

Thanks for the info.

Est ce que ces DVDs ont des soustitres en Anglais?

Ma femme est Americaine est ne parle pas Francais, en fait elle prefaire lire des sous titres en Anglais que d'ecouter un doublage en Anglais.
Merci pour ces renseignements.

Thierry

Is these DVDs has English subtitles?

My wife is American and doesn't speak Frnach, actually she prefer to read subtitles than listen to a dubbing in French.

Thanks for the info.

Est ce que ces DVDs ont des soustitres en Anglais?

Ma femme est Americaine est ne parle pas Francais, en fait elle prefaire lire des sous titres en Anglais que d'ecouter un doublage en Anglais.
Merci pour ces renseignements.

Thierry

While living abroad we purchased these movies. Our older children just loved them. Now I have to buy another set in NTSC. It's full of hilarity even if you don't speak french! Just learn to read subtitles real fast or you will miss the action.

My star rating is based upon the poor product description that Amazon.com has for this movie. I took a chance an ordered this product, but Vasili Rabshtyna is correct in that there are NO ENGLISH SUBTITLES. I'm not sure where Thierry Rabaud purchased his copy but I suspect it wasn't from Amazon.com, at least not the one here in the USA. It looks like the UK Amazon.com has the PAL region 2 encoding version of this product, which does have English subtitles.

So, unless you speak French, DO NOT PURCHACE THIS PRODUCT!

These are a very good movies, but the description to this particular product is wrong. If you want to enjoy these movies and don't speak french-don't buy them! Because the movies are in French and yes they are subtitled as described, but subtitled in French!!! I tried to return DVD's back to Amazon, but they say that even though the movie is in French, it is still SUBTITLED so I can understand it and can't return it because of lack in description.