Mosaic

I had the opportunity to sit down to watch the 2007 animated movie "Mosaic" here in 2021. I hadn't even heard about it, nor did I know what it was about. But I saw that Stan Lee was behind it and the fact that I hadn't already seen it, of course made me want to watch it.

And let me just say that "Mosaic" certainly was watchable, but it was hardly an outstanding or memorable animated movie.

The animation style was adequate, for sure, but it just didn't come off as having that special ingredient to it that makes it pop and stand out amongst countless other animated movies of the same type.

The characters in "Mosaic" were interesting enough, and luckily then the main character Maggie was interesting enough to carry the movie.

All in all, this was a fairly bland viewing experience, which results in my mediocre five out of ten star rating.

I don't review based on the name Stan Lee, or Marvel, or that this is a *gasp* super hero film. I consider the quality of animation, the story, pace, execution... namely things that make a film good or bad.

This is an origin story, and a pretty run-of-the-mill lame one at that. Apparently all that's needed to become a super hero is to stand by a window during a thunderstorm... and a little bit of cosmic mythos. The bad-guy lines are typically bad guy, the shape-shifter super powers have been done before. Mix Beast Boy, The Invisible Girl and some super strength together and we have a (yawn) new super-hero!

This is typical low-budget, low-quality animation Saturday morning TV fare. I read the high reviews and realize some people are really easy to impress. There's nothing here that is unusual, either in concept or in production. I don't care whose name is on the marquee, poor work is poor work. There are better story lines, better animation, and therefore better films out there. I almost shut this one down halfway through, but stuck with it all the way. This by no means deserves a 7 to 10 rating; it's just not that good or interesting.

I just saw this on Netflix and I disagree with the previous poster.(crispy comments) this is a CARTOON. yes the main character acts ditsy. So did Buffy the Vampire Slayer. yet she had a good run (7 seasons).

Stan lee is obviously trying out different new characters in a one off setting similar to the action pack setting that brought us Kevin Sorbo as Hercules and the dreadful Cleopatra 2525.

the art is similar to the old sat morning cartoons. however it is a little more adult in that it actual SHOWS (not in shadow as most PG rated cartoons) one person getting murdered and another beaten to a bloody mess. no bloodless fistfights here.

as for Crispy's complaints about the "over-sexualization", I would point to several other cartoon such as batman the animated series and justice league and their depiction of super heroine garb.

"Mosaic" has some good ideas but the story is a mess and any discriminating audience will find it banal. this animated film tells an original story by Stan Lee, a brand new superhero from the man himself! When Maggie Nelson (voiced by Anna Paquin) gains chameleon-like super powers, she decides to investigate a mysterious murder at a New York City museum. While piecing together the clues, she uncovers a plot to take over the world.

The film really feels like a television pilot, with animation that isn't terrible but never really warrants any special mentions, a plot that is predictable and filled with clichés and a lot of confusion on the script level. There is a reveal about a young man named Mosaic (voiced by Kirby Morrow) and his relationship the big bad guy that is totally predictable for Instance. It MIGHT have been a twist back in the 60's, but nowadays its cliché. There are also a lot of unexplainable; I'd even say "bad" decisions from a script level. Although it appears to be clear that "Maggie" inherits her powers from a magical artifact, there are constant hints that her pet chameleon is also involved, despite numerous references to a prophecy explaining exactly what is going on. Characters only show hints of a personality (which once again gives the impression that their traits would have been developed over time) and a lot of stilted dialog that is not only badly written but makes no sense (a scene where healing abilities are described as "shapeshifting" comes to mind).

I am tempted to say that if there had been a sequel, this could have been the start of an interesting female series. The more I think about it though, the more this feels more like a dated concept, or a knockoff of a classic superhero story than anything else. There's no doubt that with time this character could have become a classic, but that's because this story Is written as if there are no other superhero comics in existence. As is, "Mosaic" is only good entertainment for pre-teens. (Dvd, November 22, 2012)

The story seems good enough. Daughter of an Interpol agent gets tangled up with mysterious ancient relic, which then gives her comic book hero powers. The characters are well developed and likable. The pacing is good and really does feel similar to an episode of 'Mighty Max'.

The writing is clichéd. There aren't any big twists, save for one minor one near the end. The ending is abrupt, and predictable.

Animation is decent enough. A bit like the current warner brothers cartoons, except with a higher budget and more detailed animation.

Its kid friendly with no swearing and only has some violence (neck snap of one security guard).

If you are lacking good Saturday Morning Cartoons and need a fix, this will do. Otherwise skip it.