Dofus - Livre 1: Julith

There are huge blockbusters that you quickly forget (the majority of them)... And "small first movie" who are immediately catapulted to the status of Legend. Dofus is one of them ! 100% made in of France, Dofus is the first movie of Ankama company. I already knew them for being the makers of the stupendous "Wakfu" (the TV series), that I used to watch and watch again with my children. Dofus is the kind of films you want to share with "everyone and everybody", with hilarious gags that you can't see in a Disney movie, with that emotion which draw tears without blushing. A generous film, made with enthusiasm by enthusiasts. I know that it seems exaggerated... But it's not ! I wish them a huge success !

Rarely a movie makes me scream "DAMN! WHAT A MOVIE!" And this one, needless to say, made me scream it more than once. Already acquainted with Ankama's two biggest products, the Wakfu game and cartoon, I was surprised I let this movie pass, or maybe not, it's barely a month since I started the game/anime. And of course, I became immediately hooked. So when I started this movie, first thing I noticed was the gorgeous animation. From the flash animation they use in Wakfu to what seems to be traditional animation. Every scene was gorgeous to look at. The scenarios were wonderful, and the fights, oh dear me, the fights. I can't pick my favorite, but they were all amazing.

As for storytelling, well, congratulations, Ankama, I put you in the same level as Avatar, Dreamworks and Disney. You managed to keep it both lighthearted but also deep. Funny but also dramatic. Once again, a villain well-developed with unpredictable plot twists, emotional attachment and quite a perfect ending. Voice-acting, needless to say, top-notch. I don't understand french, but I'll never trade it for another language, let the subtitles guide me through your lines, I love your choice of voices and how much effort they put.

For story, animation,memories about characters, similar stories and well know adventures. impressive for the noble message. useful for the status of parable about family, friendship and justice. great for the spirit of old fairy tales. seductive for the grace to propose , in new perspective, familiar cliches for a great and seductive purpose. a film who reminds Japanese classics. in brilliant manner.

Impartiality is not easy when you are judge and jury. Judge by emotional affiliation with Ankama, making that many references, ways of seeing the world, provocations and mockeries of the movie, are familiar to me for having accompanied years of my life - I understand them, I enjoy them, they make me smile, laugh, vibrate or cry. Judge also because all that is embodied in a universe, characters and action which follow the codes of Japanese animation, which also built me.

But I still continue, just for the pleasure. After 24 hours, I realized that my wife and I laughed several times in the train back home while remembering the movie ... one element popped-up in my dreams at night... and I still think of the movie smiling 24 hours later. I finally do not remember a film having made me laugh as often while pulling me tears from the eyes... and captivating me for 2 hours. Dense, panting, unrestrained, vibrant, and always "in tune", this is what comes to mind. This is excellent ... and exceptional for a first attempt.

Congratulations to the Ankama teams which delivered such a great work. I know nothing about cinema, but I imagine the colossal work to be able to compete without blushing with the largest US productions, even though it is a first try, built with the means and resources of an SME.

Bravo, really congratulations to all.

Alexandre

This looks like a blend of Disney and anime.

The animation and the colors are beautiful. The characters seem unique and have believable motivation. Also, good humor and specific jokes.

What it lacks though, is a better detalization and the proper explanation of the prior events. But maybe this is explained in other related series (which I haven't yet watched).

By the way, if you as me wonder whether this can be watched as a standalone film without knowing anything about the TV series or the game, the answer is YES. Give it a try!