Atomik Circus – Le retour de James Bataille (2004) - film review
Didier Poiraud, Thierry Poiraud
Comedy / Horror / Sci-Fi

Summary
When stuntman James Bataille accidentally wrecks a bar during a music
festival in the backwater town of Skotlett, the bar’s owner Bosco has him put away for
133 years, thereby keeping him away from his daughter Concia. Not
long after, Bosco is alarmed when he learns that James has escaped from
prison and is on his way back to Skotlett, hoping to hook up with Concia. James hasn’t only
Bosco to contend with, however. Skotlett is the about to host
another unexpected visit – from a ruthless party of shape-changing
extra-terrestrials...
Review
It’s difficult to find anything positive to say about this juvenile sci-fi
romp. It’s certainly bold and distinctive – a frenzy of
self-conscious stylistic excess that is totally
lacking in structure, logic and charm. The incoherent
comic book storyline, non-existent characterisation and truly hideous
cinematography make it virtually unwatchable without the mild
palliative of several ounces of mind-altering drugs.
© James Travers 2008
Write a review for this film...
© James Travers 2008
Write a review for this film...
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Useful links
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- Best of French film comedy
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- Great French filmmakers
Related links
- Other French films of the 2000s
- The best French films of the 2000s
- Other French comedies
- The best French comedies
To buy this film
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Credits
- Director: Didier Poiraud, Thierry Poiraud
- Script: Jean-Phillippe Dugand, Marie Garrel Weiss, Didier Poiraud, Thierry Poiraud, Vincent Tavier
- Photo: Philippe Le Sourd
- Music: The Little Rabbits
- Cast: Vanessa Paradis (Concia), Jason Flemyng (James Bataille), Benoît Poelvoorde (Allan Chiasse), Jean-Pierre Marielle (Bosco), Venantino Venantini (Matt Kelso), Vincent Tavier (Chef Brody), Bouli Lanners (Chip), Jacky Lambert (Dips), Dominique Bettenfeld (Peter Cheval), Mar Sodupe (Kitty), Vincent Belorgey (Boon), Daniel Cohen (Peintre)
- Country: France / Germany / UK
- Language: French
- Runtime: 92 min
- Aka: The Return of James Battle
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