The 2024 AI/live action film Princess Halle and the Jester feels a little like AI Disney, without Walt. Writer/Director/Producer Christopher Lombardi steps up to the plate with some grand ideas here. Despite this not being my cup of tea, the production is impressive.
Lombardi literally made this in his garage with “one camera, three lights and a low budget.” There was no production crew and the “low budget” was $100,000. This cottage industry auteur may have over extended himself in this feature. However, he has possibly opened up new avenues for other independent filmmakers.
Utilizing AI allows him to give us a cast of thousands. These “creations” move amongst the real actors before the camera.
Princess Halle and the Jester Story
After the death of her mother, Halle’s father; the king, remarries. Her new stepmother is nothing like her mother. On the day of the ceremony, goblins attack the kingdom. They take the king captive and Halle escapes with the help of the jester; Henry.
Together, they must rescue the kingdom and Halle’s father.
The Cast
Emma Duchesneau is Princess Halle.
Duncan Novak is Henry.
Geoffrey Lyons is Santini.
Rachel Stacy is Perscilla.
Jimmy LeFlouria is Walter.
Sejal Mehta is Aunt Maggie.
Byron Herlong is King Victor.
Let’s Talk Princess Halle and the Jester
The film apparently borrows from everyone. Name any Disney flick ever that features the loss of a parent, then enter wicked stepmother/father. The Lord of the Rings crops up here as does Game of Thrones. Flying dragons anyone? Thankfully, Lombardi does not include unicorns.
Leaving the kitchen sink behind, the romantic lead, a la Damsel; Duchesneau acquits herself well. As does her love interest played by Duncan Novak. Mehta is splendid as Aunt Maggie and Rachel Stacy chews up great pieces of AI scenery with aplomb. She can give any Disney wicked step parent a run for their money.
Now About That AI
I am not personally a fan of AI. That being said, I do believe that the film could have benefited by everything being AI.
Although it feels a tad like watching a “video game” without a controller, it entertains. Overall, there is nothing wrong with the graphics or the intent. It is just jarring. In some shots, the backs of the actors appear to be AI and not the real actors at all.
The Verdict
Princess Halle and the Jester earns a shaky 3 stars from us. This could go down very well with the youngsters in the house. *Not too young as the goblins could scare them a little.* As an “older” adult, I found the entire thing a bit underwhelming. Kudos, though, to Lombardi for stepping out of that box and challenging paradigms. I really cannot wait to see what he does next.
The film will stream on Prime starting October 1 this year. This is one your kiddos can watch with you. Check it out and see what you think.
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