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The Prodigies (film)

From Alfawiki
The Prodigies
Company typeFilm
IndustryAnimation, Film
Founded2011
ProductsAnimated science fiction action thriller film

The Prodigies is a 2011 animated science fiction action thriller adapted from the novel La Nuit des enfants rois by French author Bernard Lenteric.

Premiering on 8 June 2011, the movie was met with predominantly unfavorable critiques, often drawing comparisons to Village of the Damned and Law Abiding Citizen. It failed commercially, earning merely $1.3 million against its $31.6 million production cost.

Plot

Jimbo Farrar, a ten-year-old prodigy subjected to parental abuse, unintentionally causes their demise through his extraordinary abilities. Subsequently institutionalized, he is later guided by billionaire Charles Killian, who aids him in mastering his powers.

Two decades later, Jimbo works as a researcher at the Killian Foundation for Gifted Children. He creates an online platform called "The Game" designed to detect others with supernatural talents. When five teenagers infiltrate his system, Jimbo disables it but receives an enigmatic message urging him to locate them.

Following Killian’s passing, his daughter Melanie and her assistant Jenkins assume control of the foundation, intending to replace Jimbo’s project with a television program. To preserve "The Game," Jimbo suggests a televised contest named American Genius featuring five gifted youths: Gil, Liza, Lee, Harry, and Sammy.

A tragedy unfolds when Liza is attacked in Central Park. The other teens retaliate using their powers, leaving Liza in a coma. Melanie opts to conceal the event to safeguard the show’s reputation. Jimbo confronts Melanie, loses control over his abilities, and is subsequently expelled from the foundation.

The teenagers uncover recordings revealing Jimbo’s isolation and plans for vengeance and decide to enact retribution themselves by targeting those responsible for the assault and the cover-up. When Jimbo refuses to eliminate Jenkins as commanded, they assault him and implicate him in Jenkins’ murder.

Jimbo is incarcerated after being unable to justify their supernatural powers due to hallucinations. Meanwhile, the teens prepare for further acts of destruction. Upon awakening, Liza warns Ann, Jimbo’s wife, who then seeks Melanie’s assistance as the final American Genius event is scheduled at the White House.

Using his powers, Jimbo breaks out of prison and reunites with Liza. Despite opposition, they manage to escape thanks to Liza’s abilities. The teens manipulate security personnel into turning on one another, resulting in Melanie’s death.

Gil initiates a nuclear strike on Killian University but halts when Sammy points out that Ann’s unborn child might possess abilities. At the White House bunker, Jimbo confronts Gil and sacrifices himself protecting Ann; Justin, the fifth contestant, kills Gil.

After Jimbo’s demise, Killian’s enterprise collapses. Ann receives a final message from Liza. Liza, Harry, Sammy, and Lee continue searching for gifted individuals through Jimbo’s game while Gil pursues more sinister goals.

Months later, the gifted teenagers’ whereabouts remain unknown; Ann remains pregnant as Jimbo’s legacy continues to inspire the quest for supernatural talents.

French

  • Mathieu Kassovitz as Jimbo Ferrar, protagonist
  • Alexis Tomassian as FOZZY/Young Jimbo
  • Claire Guyot as Ann
  • Sophie Chen as Lee Mishon
  • Thomas Sagols as Gil Yepes, antagonist
  • as Liza Everton
  • as Melanie Killian
  • David Scarpuzza as Sammy Goldberg
  • as Harry Sparks
  • Féodor Atkine as Charles Killian
  • Pierre-François Pistorio as Jenkins
  • Cédric Dumond as Lorenzo Carvahal
  • Patrick Donnay as The President
  • Jerome Keen as Doctor
  • as Justin
  • Alexandre Cross as Lieutenant Smith
  • Benoît Van Dorslaer as Chester

English

Motion-capture performers

  • Jeffrey Evan Thomas performs as Jimbo Ferrar
  • Isabelle Van Waes as Ann
  • Sophie Chen portrays Lee Mishon
  • Jacob Rosenbaum as Gil Yepes/Young Jimbo
  • Lauren Ashley Carter performs motion capture for Liza Everton
  • Moon Dailly as Melanie Killian
  • Nilton Martins in the role of Sammy Goldberg
  • Dante Bacote as Harry Sparks
  • Dominic Gould performs as Charles Killian
  • Jérôme Cachon and Alex Martin share the role of Jenkins
  • Alain Figlarz as Lorenzo Carvahal
  • Patrick Vo in the role of Diaz Arnesto
  • Patrice Melennec portrays Lieutenant Jack McKenzie
  • Tom Leick performs both Doctor and The President roles
  • Diego Mestanza as Justin
  • Yves Le Caignec plays Lieutenant Smith
  • Solange Milhaud performs as both Liza's mother and Mrs. McKenzie
  • Arnita Swanson in the role of Harry's mother

Box office

The Prodigies earned approximately $1.3 million globally, significantly underperforming against its $31.6 million production budget, thus being classified as a box office failure.

During its debut in France, the film was screened across 282 cinemas, generating $957,287 and securing the 11th position in weekend rankings. Its second weekend saw revenue decline to $322,595 from 279 theaters, dropping to 16th place in rankings.

Critical reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie holds a 20% approval rating derived from 5 critiques, with an average rating of 3.1/10.

Linda Barnard of Toronto Star condemned the film for being excessively violent for younger audiences and criticized its screenplay, highlighting its appeal to "young nerds harboring intense revenge fantasies." Liz Braun from Jam! Movies described the narrative execution as "so clumsy that it would fail to engage most adults." Dave McGinn of Globe and Mail remarked that the film rehashed well-worn superhero clichés without offering fresh or engaging elements.

In contrast, Sarah Gopaul of Digital Journal commended the film for presenting "an innovative take on the 'teens with superpowers' genre" that merits a theatrical release.

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