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