Brought to us from Laika studios, Kubo and the Two Strings is a stop motion animated family feature. Laika specializes in stop motion, and from the visuals in Kubo, you can see that they are very good at what they do. It does not take long for the viewer to get completely immersed in the world that is created, and it only gets better as the movie progresses. This is also one of those special movies where seeing it in 3D actually makes a difference to the story telling. So many 3D films are just as good in normal formats, but Kubo uses the technique to make the world and the story all the more magical.
The tale is about a young, one-eyed boy named Kubo (Art Parkinson) who has an ability and power to create moving origami through the use of his guitar. He is a story teller in the village square, hooking the residents to his every word, but never seems to know how a story should come to an end. His life is turned upside down when he does not heed the words of his mother to get home before dark, and the truth of his past comes to track him down in the form of The Sisters (Rooney Mara). They are his aunts, and they are after him at the command of Kubo's grandfather, the Moon King (Ralph Fiennes) to take his remaining eye.
In one final act of protection, Kubo's mother uses the last of her magical abilities to send him far away. She also transforms a monkey shaped magical charm into his protector, voiced by Charlize Theron. Kubo must seek down a fabled set of armour to be able to protect himself from the Moon King and The Sisters. Along the way, the come across a samurai beetle (Matthew McConaughey) who has had his memory wiped and is up for helping Kubo on his quest.
The story is a sweet one, as Kubo and his youth must face the grown up task that is set before him. He has to rise above his age to be something that he is not, going from the teller of the stories to the main character. His inability to know how a story must conclude is something that he must confront at the end of the film to find triumph and safety.
Much like Big Hero 6, this is an animated film that is not just good as a family film, but a good movie, period. There is a lot of fun humour that comes from many different directions, such as gags, facials, and punch lines. It also excels in its action sequences and brings a great deal of entertainment in choreographed battles. The layout and story flow that happens through the action scenes surpasses the abilities of many main stream blockbusters.
The true heart of this film comes through in the voice acting. It is genuine and sincere. Art Parkinson embraces the character of Kubo and opens the door to invite the audience into his heart. Theron and McConaughey have a chemistry between them that builds towards a relationship that appears true and time weathered. Notably, Rooney Mara is chilling in her performance as The Sisters.
It is a beautiful movie. The animation and the story itself create a world that the audience is a part of. The magic seems real and has a flow to it. The use of lighting is exceptional, as it assists in the telling of the story by bringing out the wonderful colours of the world as well as dimming things down to invite the darker aspects into the fold.
I do not simply recommend this film to families, but to everyone. There is something neat about a story about story telling, and how real life needs story tellers to assist in the great feats of humanity. It is a coming of age tale that has a note of resonance for all ages. It is a very special kind of movie that doesn't come along that often.
Rating - 3.5 out of 4 stars
