Dystopian tale of a man unwittingly picked to play a part in an attempt to bring down a giant corporation that controls Europe via an all encompassing subway and shampoo (don't ask).

I saw this animated film on the pay per view of the Tribeca Film Festival. Actually I saw it three times to make sure that I wasn't wrong in being disappointed (the film was picked by several publications as one of the films to see),unfortunately that's four hours I'll never get back.

I think much of the good word is based on the visuals, which are photo realistic characters that are based upon random people on the street. It makes for a unique look but the animation itself is a bit odd, it reminds me of the website Jib Jab.

The real problem here is the story. Its not only too slender for its brief running time, its also not interesting enough to warrant watching. Actually any story about giant evil corporations controlling us through their products has been done to death. If you are bringing that to the table you need to bring something better to the table beyond the addition of giving a source to the voices in our heads. Actually what really bothers me about the film is that the film seems to confuse darkness (this is a dark film) and silences for meaning and mystery.

Somehow I don't think so.

A rental at best, though I'd think you should wait for cable.

It's a really great idea, the concept of the voices. And then taking it to another level. The animation might need a bit of time getting used to, but it does work excellent once you get into that mindset (no pun intended). You should be easily offended by nudity too, if you want to watch. There's not much of it, but there is some, so be careful if you don't like animated nudity then.

The concept should win you over, if you like conspiracies and it will satisfy them too. A really good sci-fi movie with a great voice cast (if you have the disc, watch the voice recording feature) and some nice overall ideas then.

Most of you are familiar with Jib-Jab--the comedy site that uses WEIRD animations for greeting cards and comedy clips. It's a very peculiar and distorted style you just have to see to understand. Well, with the film "Metropia", it looks like someone used the Jib-Jab software to make a feature-length movie. So, you have a BIZARRE sort of CGI with strange, jerky animation--animation that is very, very gray and dark as well.

Trying to explain what I saw in "Metropia" is very, very difficult. The film is just plain weird and the plot is beyond words...but I'll try. It's set in a dystopic Europe in 2024. Everything is gray and muted...and oppressive. All the cities of Europe have become connected through their subways and everything seems dull and mirthless. The hero, or at least the main character, is a bald guy named Roger. He begins hearing voices in his head and you later learn that it's caused by a shampoo marketed by some evil corporation. None of it makes the least bit of sense and it seems like a look inside the mind of a paranoid schizophrenic. He has some odd adventures and meets an odd woman who he's not sure whether to trust or not--but he's hypnotically drawn to her.

The film is filled with adult language and nudity. However, the nudity is among the least sexy nudity I've ever seen--practically as appealing as elderly porn! The people are distorted, strange and unattractive and seeing them nude is just icky. Because of this, you might want to think twice before showing this to your kids or mother!

As far as the overall product goes, it is an interesting experiment--but an unappealing one as well. The film is completely bereft of energy and fun and is an endurance contest to finish. Not pleasant but innovative...and creepy. This one has practically no commercial appeal and is just plain odd...

By the way, Stalingrad Station is in Paris, if you really care.