The Inventor

Loved it. A VERY good tale of a misunderstood genius using his inquisitiveness to push forward the world or science, up against cynicism, ego, power and the battle with the all-powerful church which saw science as undermining to faith (on which its influence was based). Could have been set... today. Most suited to older children and definitely for adults with a interest in science, arts, innovation and the battle of discovery over power. Some powerful messages in an beautiful animation. It's a lovely mixture of humour, coupled to an authentic look at probably one of the most important stories in our scientific evolution, the work from which still influences today. Congratulations on being bold... just like Leonardo!

Weird negative quote on here about Italians getting English accents. Actually drives me nuts that so many films when aimed at an English-speaking audience have accents that I can't even understand or follow. This one was easy to listen to and the voices suited. Congratulations!!

Inventing flying contraptions, war machines and studying cadavers, Leonardo da Vinci tackles the meaning of life itself with the help of French princess Marguerite de Nevarre.

I think it's a great idea to teach kids about history, especially those who feature so importantly in our current, modern lives. Film, especially animation like this, is an ideal way to educate young people. I would hope and expect many families went to see this although figures so far suggest not.

For me there were too many tropes and mannerisms from today thrown in. Like the cartoon figure sawing at his neck in that Americanism that means 'cut', or 'stop talking.' I think it was dumbed down too far and felt ultra childish. Kids are much more astute than we give them credit for and while the animation was done very nicely, I feel the presentation of the material was done by those who simply don't understand kids.

I couldn't watch til the end as it's not for my age group and was annoying me. But for those with younger children they might enjoy it.

It's 1516 Rome. Leonardo da Vinci is looking to skies. He has a complicated relationship with Pope Leo X. He befriends Marguerite who is the sister of French king Francis I. They put on a show to bring a new peaceful culture to Emperor Charles V and King Henry VIII.

This is an animated biopic of Leonardo da Vinci. The animation is a mix of stop-motion and hand-drawn although they may have used CGI. The stop-motion reminds me of the old Rankin/Bass specials. This doesn't have a three act story structure. It is more a flat temporal flow. In that way, it is slightly educational while randomly entertaining. It doesn't give any drama. It's cute.

I just watched The Inventor, and I must say, it's a captivating animation film that left me pondering the life of Leonardo da Vinci. As someone who's always been fascinated by art, science, and history, I appreciated the unique blend of these elements in the movie.

One of the standout aspects of The Inventor is its stunning animation. The watercolor-inspired visuals transported me to the Renaissance era, immersing me in the world of 15th-century Florence. The attention to detail in the characters' designs and the environments is impressive, making every scene a feast for the eyes.

The storytelling is engaging, and I enjoyed seeing Leonardo's curiosity and creativity shine through. The film highlights his inventive spirit, showcasing his iconic designs and innovations. However, I felt that the narrative was a bit disjointed at times, jumping between different periods of Leonardo's life without clear transitions.

My only other criticism is that the supporting characters feel somewhat one-dimensional. I would have loved to see more depth and development in characters like Lorenzo and Francesco.

Despite these minor flaws, The Inventor is a charming film that sparked my interest in Leonardo's life and work. The movie's themes of creativity, perseverance, and innovation resonated with me, and I found myself reflecting on my own passions and pursuits.

Overall, I'd recommend The Inventor to anyone interested in art, history, or science. While it may not be a perfect film, its unique visual style and captivating storyline make it a worthwhile watch.

Leonardo da Vinci was one of the most fascinating men who ever lived, but this film fails to do him justice.

Quirkily animated (part puppetry, part cartoon) it centres on the last years of da Vinci's life, when he joined the court of the French King Francis I. His most famous paintings (the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper) are referenced, as are his plans for eccentric machines of war, but we see nothing of their creation.

Instead, the film concentrates on da Vinci's plan for an ideal city (which never got beyond the planning stage) and preparations for an important royal summit.

The latter is presumably meant to be the Field of Cloth of Gold, at which Francis and Henry VIII of England tried to out-do each other in ostentation. For some reason, a third potentate is added - the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, who was not present. Worse, the film ignores the fact that da Vinci had died the previous year.

There's much to like here. The voice performances are excellent, especially Stephen Fry as da Vinci; and there's a decent amount of humour amidst the philosophising.

Unfortunately, however, the film can't quite make up its mind what it's trying to do. This may be because of the extraordinary number of production companies involved in making it, resulting in a hodge-podge of compromises from a dysfunctional committee.

An interesting film, but ultimately a disappointing one.