A Monster in Paris facts for kids

Quick facts for kids A Monster in Paris
French release poster
Directed by	Bibo Bergeron
Produced by	Luc Besson
Screenplay by	Bibo Bergeron Stéphane Kazandjian
Story by	Bibo Bergeron
Starring	Matthieu Chedid Vanessa Paradis
Music by	Matthieu Chedid
Editing by	Pascal Chevé Nicolas Stretta
Studio	EuropaCorp Bibo Films France 3 Cinéma Walking the Dog uFilm uFund Canal+ France Télévisions CinéCinéma Le Tax Shelter du Gouvernement Fédéral de Belgique Umedia
Distributed by	EuropaCorp Distribution
Release date(s)	12 October 2011 (2011-10-12)
Running time	90 minutes
Country	France
Language	English French
Budget	$32 million
Money made	$26.6 million

A Monster in Paris (which means Un monstre à Paris in French) is a fun animated musical comedy science fantasy adventure film. It was released in 2011 and was made in 3D. The movie was directed by Bibo Bergeron, who also wrote the story.

Famous filmmaker Luc Besson helped produce it. The film features the voices of talented actors and singers. These include Sean Lennon, Vanessa Paradis, Adam Goldberg, and Catherine O'Hara. The story takes some ideas from the classic book The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux.

What is A Monster in Paris about?

The story of A Monster in Paris takes place in the year 1910. At this time, the River Seine in Paris was experiencing a big flood.

Meet the Main Characters

The film introduces us to Emile Petit, a shy projectionist who loves movies. He also has a crush on his co-worker, Maud. Emile's friend is Raoul, a lively inventor and delivery driver. Raoul has a very unusual vehicle he calls "Catherine."

One day, Raoul takes Emile to the Botanical Gardens for a delivery. The professor who works there is away. His assistant, a proboscis monkey named Charles, is guarding the place.

The Big Experiment

Raoul decides to try out some of the professor's inventions. He uses a mixture called "Atomize-a-Tune." This temporarily gives Charles the amazing voice of an opera singer. Raoul also tries a "super fertilizer." This makes a sunflower seed grow into a giant plant instantly!

During these experiments, the two chemicals accidentally mix. This causes a big explosion! Everyone is safe, but Emile thinks he saw a huge, monstrous creature. A photo of this creature later appears in the newspapers.

The Search for the Monster

Victor Maynott, a police commissioner who wants to become mayor, starts an investigation. He hopes finding the creature will make him popular. Maynott also tries to impress Lucille, a talented cabaret singer. Lucille is Raoul's childhood friend, but they don't get along well.

Lucille is looking for a new musician for her show. Albert, a waiter at the cabaret, tries to get the job. Instead, he stumbles upon the creature and runs away scared.

Francoeur, the Singing Flea

Lucille is scared at first when she sees the creature. But then she hears it sing. She realizes it's not dangerous at all and has a beautiful voice! She decides to welcome it and names it Francoeur, which means "honest heart."

It turns out that Francoeur is actually a tiny flea. The explosion in the lab, with all its chemicals, made the flea grow to human size. The "Atomize-a-Tune" mixture also gave Francoeur its amazing singing voice.

Heroes and a Plan

The police soon discover that Emile and Raoul were involved in the lab accident. Maynott gives them the Medal of Honor for their "help" in finding the creature.

Raoul uses this honor to get the best seats at Lucille's show. Francoeur, disguised, sings a duet with Lucille. But the magic potion that made Francoeur big is slowly wearing off. He is shrinking back to his normal size!

After the show, Lucille accidentally reveals Francoeur's true identity. Albert, the waiter, overhears her and tells the police. Emile, Raoul, and Francoeur barely escape. Albert is arrested for lying to the police.

The friends need a plan to keep Francoeur safe. Lucille comes up with an idea for a ceremony. They will pretend Francoeur dies, to trick Maynott.

The Chase and the Eiffel Tower

The next day, Maynott opens a new funicular (a type of cable car) in Montmartre. Francoeur is supposedly "killed" during the ceremony. Maynott throws an "antidote" at him and stomps on him as he shrinks. But Maynott quickly finds Francoeur hiding.

Maynott chases Francoeur and his friends through the streets of Paris. The chase ends at the top of the Eiffel Tower. Raoul uses "Catherine" to reach the tower, but his vehicle sinks. Maud, Emile's crush, arrives and supports Emile. She tells him she likes him!

After a big fight to protect Francoeur, Maynott fires a gun. Francoeur suddenly disappears. Everyone thinks he is dead. Maynott is then arrested by Pâté, his second-in-command. Pâté feels bad for helping Maynott and arrests him for trying to kill Francoeur.

A Happy Ending

Later that night, Lucille is very sad about Francoeur. But Raoul convinces her to sing anyway. As she struggles to start, she hears Francoeur singing in her ear! He is back to his normal flea size, and she is so happy.

Some time later, the professor returns. The friends explain everything. The professor then makes Francoeur permanently human-sized again! Francoeur even gets to be a co-star in Lucille's shows. Lucille and Raoul finally share their first kiss. A flashback shows that Lucille always liked Raoul, even when they were kids.

After the Credits

In a short scene during the credits, Raoul, Lucille, Francoeur, Maud, Emile, Charles, Carlotta, and Pâté work together. They use the super-fertilized sunflower seeds to drain the flooded Seine River. In another scene after the credits, Maynott is in jail with Albert and the thief. He has to listen to their terrible singing!

Who are the Voices?

Awards and Nominations

A Monster in Paris was recognized for its great work!

• Annie Awards 2014
  • Nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Character Design in an Animated Feature Production (for Christophe Lourdelet)
• César Awards, France 2012
  • Nominated for Best Animated Film (for Bibo Bergeron and Luc Besson)
  • Nominated for Best Original Music (for Matthieu Chedid and Patrice Renson)

Soundtrack

The film's soundtrack includes songs and short clips from the movie. It was released in both French and English versions. The English soundtrack came out a few days after the film in the UK. The album is credited to Vanessa Paradis & (-M-).

French version

1. "Les actualités (Interlude)" (0:27)
2. "La valse de Paris" (0:43)
3. "La Seine - Cabaret" (Vanessa Paradis -) (1:17)
4. "Emile et Raoul" (2:00)
5. "Sur les toits" (1:28)
6. "Maynott" (1:05)
7. "La rencontre" (1:45)
8. "Un monstre à Paris" (-M-) (2:18)
9. "Le baptëme" (Interlude) (Lucille) (0:11)
10. "Francœur"/Lucille (2:13)
11. "Brume à Paname" (1:01)
12. "Cabaret" (1:02)
13. "La Seine" (Vanessa Paradis & -M-) (2:48)
14. "Perquisition" (0:59)
15. "Sacré cœur" (0:56)
16. "Papa Paname" (Vanessa Paradis) (2:23)
17. "Sue le fleuve"/"Tournesol" (1:15)
18. "Tour Eiffel infernale" (2:29)
19. "L'amour dans l'âme" (-M-) (1:30)
20. "Flashback" (1:39)
21. "U p'tit baiser" (Vanessa Paradis & -M-) (2:24)
22. "Funky baiser" (5:13)

English version

1. "Interlude - the News" (0:27)
2. "La Valse de Paris" (0:43)
3. "La Seine and I Cabaret" (Vanessa Paradis -) (1:17)
4. "Emile et Raoul" (2:00)
5. "Sur les Toits" (1:28)
6. "Maynott" (1:05)
7. "La Rencontre" (1:45)
8. "A Monster in Paris" (Sean Lennon) (2:18)
9. "Interlude - Lucille 'The Baptism' (0:11)
10. "Francœur - Lucille" (2:13)
11. "Brume à Paname" (1:01)
12. "Cabaret" (1:02)
13. "La Seine and I" (Vanessa Paradis & Sean Lennon) (2:48)
14. "Perquisition" (0:59)
15. "Sacré Cœur" (0:56)
16. "Papa Paris" (Vanessa Paradis) (2:23)
17. "Sue le Fleuve - Tournesol" (1:15)
18. "Tour Eiffel Infernale" (2:29)
19. "Love is in My Soul" (Sean Lennon) (1:30)
20. "Flashback" (1:39)
21. "Just a Little Kiss" (Vanessa Paradis & Sean Lennon) (2:24)
22. "Funky Baiser" (5:13)

See also

In Spanish: Un monstruo en París para niños