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Renaissance (2006) DVD Review
Renaissance (2006) DVD Credits:
Renaissance (2006) Directed by:
Christian Volckman
Renaissance (2006) Written by:
Mathieu Delaporte, Jean-Bernard Pouy
Renaissance (2006) Cast:
Daniel Craig, Catherine McCormack, Romola Garai, Jonathan Pryce, Ian Holm
Renaissance (2006) Released by:
Not available at this time
Region:
1
Renaissance (2006) DVD Release Date:
23rd July 2007
Our Rating: Extras Rating:

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Renaissance (2006) Synopsis:

Paris 2054. Ilona Tassueiv, a young and brilliant researcher is violently kidnapped. Avalon, a giant multinational corporation and her employer, wants her found at any cost. Dellenbach, Avalon’s CEO, has requested that Officer Bartholomew Karas, a hostage retrieval specialist and the most controversial cop in the force, be in charge of the case...

Renaissance (2006) DVD Review:

The problem with lifelike animation comes specifically when trying to capture a human with realistic proportions and animation. It always seems to appear stiff or wooden, or simply not alive. Renaissance, as visually groundbreaking and awe-inspiring as many other aspects of the animation are, is no exception when it comes to this problem. The human faces remain an issue, and with the high contrast to give a film noir look to the cinematography just makes the problem worse in most cases, although just as effectively help when the character is in the dark. It is a great idea, and is mostly amazing, but even so there are moments that begin to feel forced. This is when an effective amount of time spent on the story as well would help to carry the film when the animation falters, but Renaissance doesn’t quite manage to pull that off. At some points it is difficult not to wish to see the film including the actors whose voices are used, especially considering how much of a shame it is to have Daniel Craig’s voice without the sight of his acting to go with it.

The future has been done so many times on film now that there are hardly any surprises left, so thankfully Renaissance keeps it rather discreet. What is done is simple, but effective, and is mostly advances on advertisement. Advertising becomes far more interactive in that the signs actually acknowledge people passing by. It’s rather creepy and effective in context of the story, but the city doesn’t take on as much of a life as it might have, considering these moments are among the best in the film, however brief. In this futuristic city of Paris in 2054 there is a large corporation offering ageless beauty that seems to own everything. This corporation, Avalon, is also where a detective (Craig) goes looking when one of their scientists is kidnapped. She was investigating research done by the corporation years earlier when suddenly she was taken, and the detective begins to think that the corporation is responsible.

There is some great action with some invisible assailants, and at moments the film reminded me of playing Metal Gear Solid, but the problem is that these moments is that they are far too few and they also don’t really make much sense. The concept for the film seems to be the noir/black-and-white look of the animation and the rest of the film just seems to be revolving around this gimmick. It is unfortunate, because there is a great deal of potential, but sadly there are too many animated attempts this can be said of. The DVD includes a special making-of featurette.

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Renaissance (2006) DVD review written by: Ryan Izay

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