It all started in Paris....

during the 19th Century, when famed detective Vidocq disappears while pursuing a murderer called the Alchemist; an assassin that he has been pursuing for a few months. Unfortunately..its not Flamel. His young biographer, Etienne Boisset, decides to have revenge on Vidocq's death and takes the investigation on.

That is the basic plot for Dark Portals: The Chronicles of Vidocq directed by Pitof. Never heard of him? Well, he was the director for Catwoman..the one where Halle Berry wore nothing short of her swimwear as her armor..

remember this?

Personally Halle Berry has got nothing on Michelle Pfeiffer. Her Catwoman was the best still in my opinion. But wait a minute, this post got nothing to do with catwoman...its just actually about my experience of watching Vidocq.

A little something for those technical junkies, this movie was one of the first film to be shot entirely with digital cinematography in Sony HDW-F900 CineAlta camera. Pretty neat huh? Not even going to critic the vfx....it was obviously fake of course..its a 2001 film after all XDD !

Here is some screenshot for your viewing pleasure:

Like I said, visuals are meh for me. Its passable in its attempt at foretelling an apocalyptic old Paris. Only thing that griped me was the characterization. One, there wasn't enough growth. Two, the twisted ending albeit a good idea wasn't properly executed. I was like WTH?!? @_@"

There is some good stuff as well. The fighting style is the same as catwoman. Its quite alright and tastefully done to me. My favorite was the first battle between the Alchemist and Vidocq with the pigeons and stuff. Wondering why I even watch in the first place? Because it was a steampunk movie..one of the few good ones in terms of steampunk elements. It was part of my research for my feeble attempts for FA Gamma work..@@.

Oh my...@_@

Yeah, it was definitely a good research material. Would have wanted to follow the movie's lab concept instead of the steampunk mechanic workshop, but I don't think my dear lecturers will approve of the ehem, sexual themed lab..with dolls in awkward position... or the walls filled with pictures of demons doing...yeah..best not to do that. Even if they would let me, I doubt I can pull it off. Don't look at me like that! I didn't know it was an R-rated movie in the first place. Plus the concept was intriguing, I mean first time I see steampunk done in that manner without centering much on the machines or such. Sheesh......anyway its not the best movie but it did entertain, so its alright.

Since I can't find a good quality trailer..one with subtitles anyway since its french, here is the soundtrack instead, so you can see bits and pieces of the movie. Its Hope by Apocalyptica. Credits of the video to Universal Music Group.

Apocalyptica - Hope Vol II (Vidocq BO)

Is it just me or is that long blond haired playing cello person really effeminate ? @_@