November 30, 2025 – There have been many time travel movies. This one takes a different approach as an animated movie told from a child's perspective. This French film directed by Ugo Bienvenu and written by Bienvenu and Félix de Givry is set in a future time when global warming is causing massive destruction. The story begins, however, in a time even farther in the future when the earth has changed drastically and time travel is commonplace.

A young child, Arco, frustrated that he is not allowed to time travel because he is too young, steals his sister's flying cape and time crystal at night and sets off to travel back to the time of dinosaurs, but he misses the mark and ends up in a suburb under wildfire threat in the year 2075. He makes a rough landing in the woods and loses his time crystal.

Arco is found and befriended by a young girl, Iris, who hides him from a trio of nerdy young men who saw another time traveler years ago. They want to find Arco in order to prove to everyone they aren't crazy. They seek the truth behind what they call the “rainbow people.” Iris and the trio of pursuers all saw the telltale fast-moving rainbow in the sky that signals Arco's arrival in 2075.

Since there is no record of Arco's existence in 2075, this causes a software crash in Mikki, the household robot when the robot tries to identify Arco. Mikki is assigned to care for Iris in her parent's absence. Iris tries to repair Arco's flying cape, but even with that, he is unable to return to his own time without the missing crystal. It turns out the crystal was recovered by the trio of young men who are trying to find him.

Things come to a head when a wildfire approaches town, which is protected by a dome which closes as the fire approaches. Unfortunately, the dome will also prevent Arco from flying out of town to get away from the authorities who are after this mysterious boy who should not exist. Mikki, whose system has been rebooted, also joins in on the pursuit, intent on protecting Iris.

Despite this serious tale about a boy lost in time, in an adventure way over his head, this is a gentle, bittersweet story. Mikki, the robot, is loyal, brave and good-hearted. The same is true of Iris's friends, as well as the trio of young men who are also on Arco's trail. Other pursuers include Arco's family from the future, who are also looking for him.

There is a strong environmental theme to the story. Melted ice has flooded the earth in Arco's time, where people live on raised platforms. They live in an odd combination of high tech and simple farming. Arco is seen doing farm chores very similar to farm chores done in the 1800s. The earth below is being left to fallow, so that it will heal itself. In 2075 there are very advanced, humanoid robots and other advanced technological devices, but the environment has become chaotic because of global warming.

This is a very appealing animated film with enchanting artwork. The characters are compelling, as is the story. It is noteworthy that Academy Award-winning actress Natalie Portman is a producer of this movie. She is also part of the English-dubbed voice cast. I saw the original French dub with English subtitles. This film rates a B+.

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