The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (PG)

Steven Spielberg, arguably the biggest name in cinema, has apparently wanted to make this film for a long time and it isn’t wrong to expect a gallivanting master piece. Visually The Adventures of Tintin draws you in immediately and the Computer Generated Graphics are amazing to behold. The slick animation moves you from one set piece to the next as the famous young journalist voiced by the competent Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot) tries to wrestle free the villain’s pursuit, voiced by Daniel Craig. The James Bond star plays Red Rackham but falls flat as his normal moody self, when some evil flourish could enhance the amazing graphics. Andy Serkis, brilliantly playing Captain Haddock, rolls drunk in the story and Tintin, along with his incredibly talented dog Snowy endeavour to solve the mystery of the sunken Ship, the Unicorn, and its enormous treasure.  At times the action has a continuous momentum and almost becomes overwhelming, but the story and characters are loyal to the original creation and the atmosphere is punctuated by cleverly placed humour and smartly dealt statements of hope. It is a boy’s story, there are no female characters, and there are planes, trains and cars, explosions, birds of prey and guns. It is a highly entertaining international adventure including quiff.

80/100

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.