Art has been known to be so vivid and realistic that it can leap off the page, the canvas, et cetera.  That saying becomes quite literal for psychotherapist Ruben Brandt, who is experiencing surrealists nightmares of famous paintings torturing him.  In order to confront and conquer his fears, Brandt makes a bold choice to steal and obtain each work of art that haunts him, therefore being in full control of whatever is “out” to get him.

Milorad Krstić’s Ruben Brandt, Collector is an odd genre mash-up of crime noir, artistic pastiche, and action thriller with a dash of Monty Python thrown into the mix.  Surprisingly, the movie pulls off this daunting combination.  Krstić uses clever animation to capture the audience’s attention.  The visuals move with a specific fluency that helps build excitement during action sequences, while also complimenting the dedicated design that pays tribute to trademarks and movements of art history.  But despite it being pitched as an animated film for mature audiences, it’s still a cartoon with a naive understanding of geography, danger, and development.

While occasionally too goofy in its execution, Ruben Brandt, Collector is an all-around crowd-pleaser.  It will satisfy those looking to take a piece of the film away with them just as much as it will with those looking for heady entertainment.

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Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie