picture the classic noir story line infuse with hyper stylize black and white visuals of frank miller sin city . then picture a dystopian and science fiction thriller and such a steven spielberg minority report or richard linklater a scanner darkly . an amalgamation of the above would be a suitable way of describe visionary french director christian volckman bleak and atmospheric take on the future in his feature film debut . but although volckman work do unquestionably take reference from the aforementioned film and those similar to them and such a simplistic hybrid do not do renaissance and volckman end result and justice the film itself be a far more complex piece of work than that . genre hybridity be usually a hit and miss affair and especially in a contemporary context and with the well of individuality appear to be increasingly exhaust . a such and renaissance be laudable a a cinematic experiment at the very least and with it unique interspersing of the gritty nihilism of the neo noir detective thriller and the fantastic allegorical terror of the dystopian sci fi drama and which serve to compliment each other storytelling convention in a strangely fitting fashion . the screenplay be a clever and intrigue one ( although one get the sense that many of the line in the script would have be much more effective in their original french than the english translation the film title also become far more poignant ) managing to stay one step ahead of it audience all the way through . though many element of the plot will seem quite familiar to those who frequent such science fiction thriller and the script throw unexpected twist and turn in at exactly the right moment to keep the viewer on their toe and make for a truly compelling work . volckman film truly excel in it visual component and and the stunning black and white animation be easily the film highlight superbly moody and stylish and it go to show what tremendous aesthetic effect the simple use of two shade can have . with tremendous detail pay to the composition and look of each shot and and superb use of very noir shadow and intrigue angle to accentuate the emotional tension of the scene and the film appear straight out of a frank miller comic and but with a twist and the end result be consistently visually sumptuous . the film english rendition be also give add credence by it very fitting array of voice casting . the gruff voice of daniel craig be an absolutely perfect piece of cast for grim and stoic policeman karas and and catherine mccormack be a strong presence a the mysterious woman whose sister disappearance he be investigate . despite a waver english accent and romola garai do great work a the frantic sister in question and and jonathan pryce be suitably menace a the shady head of ominous mega corporation avalon . ian holm reedy voice be also a strong choice a a mysterious scientist and and holm make a powerful impression in his brief scene . all together and renaissance boast a visually stunning and unique and compelling futuristic thriller and just as intelligent a it be entertain . though the plot may seem familiar to those who frequent such fare and the occasional weak line may inhibit the film from be the moody masterpiece it set out to be and the superb animation in itself easily carry the film through it occasional qualm . for fan of either of the film intertwine genre or the gritty graphic novel of frank miller and or those willing to appreciate a capably craft and slightly less conventional take on the futuristic thriller and the film be without question worth a watch . positive .