83
What makes Phantom Boy unique isn’t the questions it asks, but the way it asks them and the answers it arrives at.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
70
Los Angeles Times by Charles Solomon
Like their Oscar-nominated “A Cat in Paris” (2010), Phantom Boy by Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gangol is a modest, engaging film that reminds viewers of the intimate pleasures of drawn animation in an era of CG blockbusters.
50
The New York Times by Glenn Kenny
Instead of maintaining an effervescent fizzle, Phantom Boy too frequently sputters piffle.
91
The Film Stage by Jared Mobarak
With its vibrant colors muted for a NYC noir aesthetic and every 2D field shaded by roughly textured shadows in constant motion, the frames literally flicker off the screen to leave a lasting impression.
75
Even though it doesn’t all come together thrillingly, Phantom Boy garners a lot of goodwill just for looking and feeling original.
60
Though Felicioli and Gagnol’s visuals suggest colorful kidlit illustrations come to life, their labor-intensive style isn’t for everyone.
75
RogerEbert.com by Sheila O'Malley
The film can be smothered by the obligations of its plot, but it's still beautiful and original, extremely funny, and sometimes very moving.
70
Village Voice by Sherilyn Connelly
Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol's superhero story Phantom Boy is no April and the Extraordinary World — but still fine for what it is.
74
Felicioli and Gagnol's latest may be trying to do a few too many things at once, given its short length and genial aims. But it's still something distinctive and different in a sea of shiny mirrors, all reflecting the same slick CGI style back at each other.
63
The filmmakers are thankfully willing to render, with unremitting vigor, how grief can batter the human heart.