Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
First time Director Travis Knight (who was the lead Animator on two other Laika Productions) brings us Kubo and the Two Strings which is one of the most beautiful Animated Films released this year, further proves that Laika is a force to be reckoned with and provides a heart warming story that may be original and formulaic, but still incredibly enjoyable and a fantastic Film.
Our story begins with Kubo (Art Parkinson), our one-eyed protagonist, warning the audience to pay full attention to his story in a cute street-performing way that truly captivates the audience right off the bat. The story then continues as Kubo is accompanied by his widowed mother who tells him a story of his warrior father, Hanzo, that Kubo retells to the village supported by flying origami he creates with his musical instrument. However, Kubo cannot stay after dark as his mother warns him that his grandfather and her sisters (both voiced by Rooney Mara) want to steal his other eye. One night Kubo doesn’t listen to his mother, stays out after dark and awakes her Sisters and Moon King (Ralph Fiennes) who is his grandfather. His mother realizes this and rushes to him and uses the last of her magical abilities to save Kubo and gifts him with his father’s symbol. After waking up, Kubo realizes he lost his mother to her sisters, but she gifted him with a monkey (Charlize Theron) a keepsake from his childhood. His journey has no changed as he must partner with Monkey to find his father’s armour, the armour that can take down the Moon King. While on their journey they run into a powerful warrior who was transformed from a man into Beetle (Matthew McConaughey). Together, Kubo, Monkey and Beetle band together to take down the sisters and Moon King, the question is can young Kubo overcome the odds?
What makes Kubo and the Two Strings such a fantastic Movie is the voice acting along with the animation. The visuals are just breathtaking, raising the bear even higher for Laika while the voice actors and actresses truly are in their element. Art Parkinson who is just 15-years-old, does a magnificent job bringing a great charisma that Kubo needs, not to be outshone by the likes of McConaughey, Theron, Mara and Fiennes. Kubo and the Two Strings is one of the most enjoyable Movies this summer.
eOne Films releases KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS in theatres on Friday, August 19, 2016.
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