You probably already know Ladybird & Cat Noir, the animated French series about a teenage girl who defends Paris as her superhero alter ego Ladybird, if you have a primary school-aged child and a Netflix account. This new movie, which was only distributed on Netflix, was known in France simply as Miraculous, le Film (evidence that everything sounds better in French, including children's television). Although it is intended for children aged four to ten, the unusually high percentage of teen romance may discourage you from viewing with young children, even if it is drippy rather than explicit.

Marinette is portrayed by Cristina Vee Valenzuela and is the awkward school klutz who lacks confidence until one night when a wise old man offers her a "miraculous" - a bright diamond that gives her abilities. Adrien, who she admired in high school, changes his name to Cat Noir. Although none of the two adolescent heroes is aware of the other's actual identity, they must cooperate to preserve the French capital. When Adrien falls in love with Cat Noir without recognising that she is Marinette, things become quite tricky. Consequently, the two are attracted to one another yet each feels their love is unrequited. Obviously, this hits the wall of implausibility that kids who love superheroes must learn to live with: the fact that putting on an eyemask doesn’t actually disguise a person’s identity. 

Ladybug's blue hair should let Adrien identify her as Marinette right away. Regardless, the action moves quickly. Paris appears stunning but takes a beating as pursuers break through the beautiful glass windows of Notre Dame and destroy the Eiffel Tower. The heroes are unaware that Hawkmoth, their arch enemy, is actually Adrien's father, a famous fashion designer, and that his team of supervillains also includes a mime artist (it doesn't get much more French than that). However, Ladybird moons as often as she dresses up as a superhero, so the feminine strength message comes out as less genuine and more of an afterthought.