A Young Girl and Her Cat Take on Reptilian Evils

We saw "April and the Extraordinary World" at PIFF, and it's coming back to Portland.

April and the Extraordinary World is coming back. It opens Friday, April 8 at Fox Tower.

Here’s what we thought when we saw it at PIFF.

[FRANCE-BELGIUM-CANADA] Releasing a subtitled animated feature is a tall order. Originally based on a graphic novel, which translated to April and the Twisted World, this steampunk epic is an uneven affair. The backgrounds are gorgeous. The characters leave much to be desired. The story begins in an alternate-history Europe in which electricity was trumped by coal and Napolean V is in power in the 1930s. A dour young girl and her talking cat must breach a vast scientific conspiracy that goes above the government to a place that is delightfully and unexpectedly reptilian.

Critic’s Grade: C

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Willamette Week

Nathan Carson

Nathan Carson has been a WW contributor since 2008. He also writes weird horror and science fiction stories, and is a founding member of the international touring doom metal band Witch Mountain. Carson owns and operates the boutique music booking agency Nanotear, and hosts the XRAY FM radio show the Heavy Metal Sewing Circle. The only reason he can do all these things is because he drinks a lot of water and gets plenty of sleep.

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