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- First reviewDecember 11, 2011
- Last reviewDecember 11, 2011
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kbdowneast's Reviews
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4
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5
an unexpected surprise
PostedDecember 11, 2011
kbdowneast
(CAUTION: this review contains spoilers.)
"Hugo" does not play out as the Disney-esque children's movie audiences have been trained to accept. Although the main character is a child, the story really focuses on an actual historical figure: pioneering filmmaker Georges Melies, the mystery that surrounds him, and Hugo's role within the mystery. This movie is one of those 'children's movies' that should be made more often: one that treats children as intellectually competent, and expects them to be sophisticated enough to understand and empathize with large emotional issues; one that utilizes a child's ability to learn and grow without the drama and supernatural unrealities of wizards or vampires or other cinematic foibles that dumb down and sugar coat typical children's cinema.
'Hugo' is a fictional tale surrounding the real historical figure of Georges Melies (to whom Sir Ben Kingsley is an uncanny likeness). Msr. Melies was a pioneer in early film and prolific creator of spectacular visual stories. Although the film does gloss over much of Msr. Melies's history (it fails to mention his first wife), this does not in any way detract from the film, and does provide an important reminder that our cinema would not be as it is today without visionaries like Melies. This is an excellent tale about Hugo, a child who, despite his personal tragedies and loss, and through his desire to 'fix things', resolves a great misfortune and helps to heal a great wound of Msr. Melies and bring himself closer to his own late and cherished father. All the while, he observes the interactions of the people around him, is instrumental in the redemption of the Station Master, makes a real friend, and learns the strength of his own mettle and even some impressive new vocabulary. Ultimately, this is a wonderful tale about the power of humanity, forgiveness, and love.
I rated this film only four stars for the following reasons: first, 3D. This film was *in*no*way* enhanced by the 'magic' of 3D. While I appreciate the 'magic' in relation to this tale about a true cinematic magician, I felt more distracted by the obnoxious glasses I had to wear (which gave me a headache) than amazed by the snowflakes falling or clockworks turning or steam rising. Second, the children's dialogue seemed incredibly disjointed. For example, when Hugo tells Isabelle to "give it back" (his father's notebook), instead of saying 'no' or 'why' as it would seem any normal child would, she instead asks 'why do you want it so badly?' - inappropriate in it's clinical structure and delivery. Finally, the overzealous omitting of what must have been much-needed character exposition from the book makes the movie feel rushed and under-developed. For example, in the last few minutes of the film, the Station Master (who has caught Hugo and will, as he has done with other delinquents, send him to the orphanage) blurts out that he was raised in an orphanage and did not need a family, so why should Hugo? This outburst explains so much of the Station Master's cruel behavior throughout the film, yet it comes so late in the movie that we do not have time to build up proper sympathy for him.
Despite these detractions, however, 'Hugo' is a wonderful family movie. It is clear that Scorsese is paying homage to one of the greatest film pioneers in history, and he includes lots of fun and wonderful footage from Melies's films. And in case there are any studio execs. out there who are certain that children won't enjoy a film unless there are lots of explosions and car chases and special effects that move at a frenetic pace, let me tell you about the dozen or so little girls who sat behind me, all between the ages of 8 and 12 years old, who laughed and giggled and gasped at all the 'old fashioned' movies, and who were thoroughly engaged all through the two 'Pixar-less' hours.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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