Looking back at a few reviews on different websites....

Having a look back at some other reviews which have appeared on a number of websites through the Archant Group:

DVD Review: Hugo

Thursday, May 3, 2012 9:50 AM 

IN THE CAMBRIDGE TIME

DVD Review: The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn

Thursday, May 3, 2012 9:53 AM

IN THE HUNTS POST

DVD Review: Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Tuesday, May 15, 2012 9:58 AM 

IN THE ELY STANDARD 

DVD Review: Immortals

Thursday, April 5, 2012 9:48 AM 

IN THE HERTS AD

DVD Review: A Thousand Words

Thursday, August 2, 2012 10:22 AM 

IN THE ROYSTON CROW

Recap on Some of my DVD Reviews on the Herts Advertiser Website

DVD Review: Fright Night - Thursday, April 26, 2012 9:51 AM 

DVD Review: Hugo - Thursday, May 3, 2012 9:50 AM 

DVD Review: The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn - Thursday, May 3, 2012 9:53 AM 

DVD Review: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - Tuesday, May 8, 2012 10:47 AM 

DVD Review: Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol - Tuesday, May 15, 2012 9:58 AM 

DVD Review: The Darkest Hour - Thursday, May 31, 2012 10:06 AM 

DVD Review: Journey 2 - The Mysterious Island - Friday, June 8, 2012 9:43 AM 

DVD Review: Sherlock Holmes – A Game of Shadows - Thursday, June 14, 2012 9:54 AM 

Hugo (PG)

When the Director Martin Scorsese announces a film there are great expectations and Hugo is no exception especially when it’s a family tale with a huge budget. The stunning sets greet us and we meet Hugo, played by the convincing Asa Butterfield, in the first scene of the film as he navigates the walls of the station, this being his home and where he winds the clocks. A past film master, George Melies, played by the eminent Ben Kingsley, who is dejected and now owns the toy shop soon runs into Hugo and we are led through a story of historical tragedy, post war Paris and the origins of film. Sacha Baron Cohen appears as the strange station bobby and the hunter of homeless children, a potential threat for the orphaned Hugo and the adopted Isabelle, Chloë Grace Moretz (Kick-Ass) acts as Hugo’s companion on his voyage of discovery. But the pace stutters as Scorsese attempts to weave into the plot the history of film rather than focusing on developing the characters. There are too many silences and moments of grief, too many questioning looks and the doors remain closed on what is a magical world. Hugo has all the ingredients you could want in a memorable family film and at times is exhilarating and mysterious, but disappointingly the picture that it draws is incomplete.

71/100

Choosing a Family Film for the Weekend

There has been a flurry of much anticipated Family Film DVD releases recently. Steven Spielberg’s The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn, Martin Scorsese’s Hugo and Shrek’s friend Puss in Boots have all come to your local Blockbusters or are available to stream. All three are packed full of adventure but which one too chose for Sunday afternoon viewing? Although Shrek’s appeal is universal this companion film, with Puss in Boots going up against Humpty Dumpty, is perhaps aimed at the younger family viewing with children under ten. Whereas Hugo, telling the story of the young clock winder, weaves the history of film into the plot and needs more patience. Tintin ticks both age group boxes.

If you prefer a swashbuckling adventure Puss in Boots provides and then throws in bits of fairy tales on top, never intending on telling the original story. Antonio Banderas as Puss and Slama Hayek as Soft Paw are both excellent. International exploits, set in a world of astounding computer graphics, brings a loyal adaption of Tintin alive and we are thrown from one continent to another while pitched against the evil Red Rakum played by a stern Daniel Craig. Andy Serkis is brilliant as the often drunk Captain Haddock. In Hugo we are taken around a magic mechanical world that delves into the tragic past of the lead, played by the starlet Asa Butterfield, and through misfortune discover a wonderful secret past, ideal if you like mystery.

If you’re inclined towards Puss in Boots because of its Shrek roots then you’ll be disappointed, because it does not come up to the green ogre’s standards and if you opt for Hugo then expect a to be confronted with some grim story lines. But Tintin shows the master at work, Spielberg revealing in his ability to take you on one big frolic, the adventure of a life time. Yet arguably it’s more for boys as there is little feminine influence in the film and no female characters.

Puss in Boots deals with fairytales and feline capers, Hugo is about cogs, loss and rediscovery, Tintin presents a quest made up of puzzles and fun characters. All three are visually amazing and story rich.