The sequel to the delightful Minuscule: Valley of the Lost Ants, this gorgeous blend of animation and live action reunites a plucky ladybird (now accompanied by his son) with his ant buddies for an adventure that is broader in scope and ambition, but still tiny in size. Although the picture is dialogue-free (the insects communicate in buzzes and clicks), it’s as unmistakably French as the Provençal chestnut puree that provides a key plot device.
The plot has a kinship with Finding Nemo – adventurous youngster finds himself lost far from home; dedicated father sets out to rescue him. In this case, the young ladybird is accidentally sealed in a box of chestnut puree bound for Guadeloupe in the Caribbean. With the help of a friendly ant and a particularly endearing spider with a taste for classical music, his father must try to bring him back home.
Like the first film, A Minuscule Adventure is a thing of real beauty. The verdant forests of the French countryside and the lush tropical jungle provide a stunning backdrop for the 3D animated googly-eyed bugs. The sweeping orchestral score is heart-swellingly lovely. And while the creatures are somewhat anthropomorphised (one of them has an iPod mini and a set of speakers), the directors, Hélène Giraud and Thomas Szabo, are careful and respectful of the insect integrity of their tiny cast.
