Film: Hugo
Cast includes: Ben Kingsley (Gandhi), Asa Butterfield (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas), Chloë Grace Moretz ((500) Days of Summer), Sasha Baron Cohen (Borat), Emily Mortimer (Shutter Island), Jude Law (Sherlock Holmes), Helen McCrory (Harry Potter)
Director: Martin Scorsese (Shutter Island)
Genre: Adventure (2011)
It’s young Hugo’s jobs to keep the clocks running. And as long as they all keep time, no one in the Paris train station will notice that Hugo’s uncle has abandoned him. It’s 1930, and in those days it was a crime to be an orphan outside of an orphanage. So Hugo lives in the labyrinth behind the clocks… he keeps the clocks running, steals food from station shops, and avoids being caught by the station inspector and his orphan-sniffing dog. Flashback to happier times… Hugo used to help in his father’s watch repair shop. One day, Hugo’s father found the most amazing thing thrown out by a local museum… an automaton. “Can we fix him?” “Of course we can fix him.” But when Hugo’s father dies suddenly the broken automaton is the only thing Hugo brings to his new life in the Gar du Nord. Little by little, Hugo finds parts for repairing the automaton because he believes his father wants to send him a secret message. He often steals them from the station’s toymaker. When the toymaker finally catches him, he wants to know about the book of mechanical drawings in Hugo’s pocket. Since Hugo won’t say where he got the book, the man takes it away and threatens to burn it.
Desperate to get it back, Hugo follows the man home. And that’s where he meets Isabelle… another orphan. But Isabella was lucky enough to have been taken in by Papa George and his kind wife. Isabella promises to help Hugo. “This might be an adventure. I’ve never had an adventure before… outside of a book.” Hugo’s life is a constant adventure! Before long, events conspire to bring Hugo and Isabella into a clandestine undertaking that eventually includes Papa George… and his many secrets.
The real-life George Méliès had many careers… illusionist, toymaker, actor, inventor… but he is most famous for being an innovative moviemaker… the rocket hitting the man in the moon was his creation. Hugo is a fictitious tale of a young boy who shares many interests with the reclusive curmudgeon, George Méliès. Hugo is a charming mix of fiction and fact… live action and computer animation… the latest from Martin Scorsese. It’s showing in 3D, but the 3D effects don’t really enhance the film and in some cases are a distraction… unless you’re a kid. Adults will enjoy the artistry; especially all the images of 1930s Paris with the iconic train station. It’s a sweet story with some junior-level philosophy mixed in. Hugo and Isabella talk about finding their purpose. Hugo is really good at fixing things, but is that his purpose in life? He won’t know until he unlocks some secrets.
3 popped kernels
Sweet story that mixes fantasy with factual events from the early days of filmmaking
Popcorn Profile
Rated: PG
Primary Audience: Kids & Teens
Gender Appeal: Any audience
Distribution: Mainstream wide release
Mood: Upbeat
Tempo: Zips right along
Visual Style: Animated/computer
Character Development: Not that kind of film
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Pure entertainment & Informative
