This Spanish-to-English family animation, which seems to combine Agatha Christie, by way of A Bug’s Life, has a lot going for it. Even though it gets a bit too tangled in its own narrative webbing to fully buzz to the same degree as films like A Monster in Paris.
Inspector Sun (also known as Inspector Sun and the Curse of the Black Widow) sees the eponymous arachnid detective (think Poirot with eight – sorry – seven legs!) falling afoul of the police force that he assists and being forced to think whether he is really as brilliant as everyone thinks, or whether his deductions and achievements are down to luck. Well, he’ll get the chance to prove it, as a plane journey soon turns into a murder mystery that he must solve.
Initially, this film hits a fine stride. The animation is obviously not on the level of some of the higher name competition but is punchy, colourful and well assembled (until an all-out messy final act pushes the limits a bit), and the jazzy soundtrack is very in-keeping with the chosen ‘30s era. The actual core murder mystery is rather twisty and compelling, too, and had the film not scurried off point to become more of a monster movie action tale. Inspector Sun would have benefitted a lot more from sticking to the one plot concept rather than trying to connect several all at once.
This also creates a tonal issue, as some of the more child-friendly comedy does, at times, clash fiercely with a few dark detours that come out of nowhere (a dog being killed, for instance – off-screen, of course).
Still, when the film is riffing on an insect roster Murder On The Orient Express-style romp, it is most certainly at its best, and despite losing its grasp of the plot in the final third, the eccentric characters and energy ensure that kids will likely be along for the ride. While some grown-ups will appreciate the moustache-twirling whodunnitery while it lasts.
A good effort overall, though if Inspector Sun returns, hopefully, next time, we’ll stick to the sleuthing rather than the tacked-on monster mashing.
Dazzler Media presents INSPECTOR SUN AND THE CURSE OF THE BLACK WIDOW in cinemas from June 21st.
