Having not studied a lick of French in the past 16 years, I was a little hesitant about watching the latest offering from France's famed director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. However, thanks to a very entertaining story, and my ability to read words that appear on my TV screen, I thoroughly enjoyed Micmacs.

Micmacs tells the tale of Bazil (Dany Boon), a man who has not exactly lived a charmed life. His life is turned upside down as a youngster when his father, a soldier, is killed by a landmine.

Years later, Bazil is going about his daily business working as a video store clerk when he is struck by a bullet as a result of a gunfight outside of his store. Needless to say, his life goes from bad to worse.

The bullet remains lodged in his head, and on top of that, his boss gives his job away while he is recuperating. Bazil finds himself down in the dumps, quite literally in fact; he actually ends up living at a dump.

Much like country crooner Garth Brooks, Bazil soon finds that he has friends in low places. A wacky assortment of characters living at the dump befriend Bazil, including a man who holds the record for the longest human cannonball launch, and a woman who is so flexible that she seems more elastic than skin and bone.

Not only do these friends help brighten up Bazil's life during these dark times, they also help him with his plan to obtain what he wants most — sweet, sweet revenge. The company that manufactured the landmine that caused Bazil's father's demise, and the company that made the bullet that is lodged in his head are located conveniently enough right across from one another. Bazil and his gang of misfits make it their mission to bring both organizations down to their collective knees.

Despite the heavy subject matter at times (parental death, shootings, political intrigue), Micmacs can still be described as a light-hearted romp. Head to your local video store (or "magasin video" as the French call it) and check out Micmacs today.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars