The fantasy retains a good deal of charm -- enough, perhaps, to make up for the lack of anything resembling an original idea.

The photography by Christophe Graillot is fascinating and composer Arman Anar’s music works well with the scenery. The camera work is excellent.

Thrilling French sequel has tense scenes but a warm heart.

Older viewers may well roll eyes at the predictability of it all but children will surely be rapt by the close shaves, heroic antics and timeless warmth that comes from the relationship between a boy and his dog.