While I agree with your rating, I disagree with your theory: Jeunet didn't try to show off his craft, he tried to do Amelie in WW1, with a dark twist. It could have worked, but this kind of films are hard to pull off. The stupid "plot" works like a charm in Amelie. Don't be angry at the filmmakers here, salute the audaciousness.
p.s. Helicopter shots (with very, very rare exceptions) should never be used in a movie. The seeeping helicopter shots through a landscape or seascape. Ugh. That is not for a live action movie. That is for an animated movie. I am referring to those nauseating (literally) spinning shots around the lighthouse. They made me dizzy and sucked anyway. In general, helicopter shots through the sea are for commercials for the Navy. Not for movies.
Weird rule. I may see where you're coming from (overuse), but still, weird rule.
Great technical achievements sometimes annoy me when the movie is not up to par. It's like wearing a $10,000 tuxedo to a garage-band gig at a dive bar.
p.s. Helicopter shots (with very, very rare exceptions) should never be used in a movie.
I'm assuming something like the cut to the helicopter shot in the Attica scene from Dog Day Afternoon would be one of those exceptions?
I DVR'd "Blindman" last night, now on Encore Western channel, starring Tony Anthony and Ringo Starr. Have never heard of it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindman