In the wake of cinematic triumphs like the goofball comedy “Widow Clicquot” and the Gerard Butler led, action-packed, John Wick inspired, “Dom Pérignon: Enough is Enough,” WondeRealm Studios has uncorked another animated gem with their latest masterpiece …
“Mercier: King of Champagne.”
This delightful and wonderfully animated musical brings to life the forgotten and eye-poppingly effervescent journey of Eugène Mercier, the audacious 19th-century champagne magnate whose innovative spirit and marketing flair transformed the industry - but was it for better or for worse?
Set against the picturesque vineyards of Épernay, the film follows young Eugène Mercier, voiced with exuberance by ex-teen heartthrob and WondeRealm favorite, Chud Monroe, as he embarks on a mission to make champagne accessible to all.
From constructing the world's largest wine barrel for the 1889 Exposition Universelle to orchestrating a champagne bar in a hot air balloon during the 1900 Paris Exposition - a stunt that famously drifted all the way to Belgium - Mercier's adventures are as bubbly as his creations.
The film doesn't shy away from Mercier's marketing genius. His collaboration with the Lumière brothers to create one of the first promotional films is depicted with flair, showcasing his forward-thinking approach.
"Mercier: King of Champagne" masterfully blends these unbelievable historical events with the WondeRealm storytelling we have come to expect.
The film's vibrant animation captures the charm of 19th-century France with a nostalgic nod to the multi-award winning “Dogtanian and the Muskehounds,” while its catchy musical numbers, scored by Hip Hop legends “G-Rinse,” infuse the story with a fresh, modern twist.
The soundtrack is a sparkling array that capture Mercier's zest for life. By far the outstanding number has to be "Up, Up and Away!"
This is a fast-paced song accompanying the hot air balloon escapade, blending adventure with humor as the balloon drifts uncontrollably over Paris.
And what a story!
In 1900, during the Paris Universal Exposition, Mercier introduced a champagne bar set inside a tethered hot air balloon, designed to offer guests an elevated view of the city while sipping his champagne.
However, in a dramatic twist, the balloon broke free from its moorings with passengers aboard. The untethered balloon drifted far beyond Paris, eventually landing in Belgium after an unpredictable journey.
Fortunately, no one was harmed, and the event became a legendary tale of Mercier's audacious marketing stunts, cementing his reputation as one of the most creative and daring figures in the history of Champagne.
Up, Up and Away! (An excerpt from the hit song)
“Oh, this wasn’t the plan!
We were supposed to stay anchored, sip champagne and land,
But the winds have their own demands…
Hold tight, mes amis, this flight’s about to be grand!
The sky’s no limit when your dreams are effervescent,
Bubbles rise like ambition, you gotta keep ‘em present.
We started with a toast, now we’re toasting to the clouds,
A balloon bar to take Paris by storm and make it proud!”
"Mercier: King of Champagne" is a delightful addition to Wonderealm Studios' portfolio, offering a fizzy blend of history, humor and heart.
It's a celebration of a man who dared to dream big and in doing so, left an Indelible Wine Stain on the World of Champagne.
As audiences raise their glasses to this animated masterpiece, one can't help but wonder - what other effervescent tales from the annals of champagne history might Wonderealm uncork next?
