What a Refreshing Adventure Film, ... wait, cross Adventure out. Simply refreshing.

Rating: 9/10 (10 April 2012)

Why 3D?
I am not a 3D movie fan, basically. It's a fancy way of filming, with little value to the content of the movie. (I mean, would it hurt if I watch Titanic in 2D? It won't. That's what we did dated back in 10 years. It changes nothing when the studio re-releasing its reedited 3D version.) Not to mention those movies in 3D are almost summer flicks. Although I am not a Sanjay's father in Modern Family, I am sure I'm not a Phil, not a Crocotopus in 3D movie goer. What's more, all the promotions provided by theaters are gone if you are to watch a movie in 3D in Taiwan. And the annoying add-on to your nose for 2 hours and more.
Maybe, just maybe, this 3D feature could be mainstream someday, just like filming in color and voice retiring monologues. But before that,
Let's welcome Hugo, the movie that transcends the past and future. The movie that holds dreams dear.
The angle of filming has focused on Hugo. From a little boy's eyes, Paris seemed so saturated with colors. The cinematography is so delicate that makes me think of crystal balls with snows in it. Of course this is not a reflection of Hugo's life, not a reflection on how miserable Hugo is. It's a reflection of Hugo's character. He is positive, and he has a will. He is so devoted to this broken robot saved by his unfortunate father. He believed that after fixing this robot, he will find something related to him and his dad. Besides that, and the crappy job of maintaining the clock at train station, that is all he got.
But this is not the only storyline in the movie. Martin cleverly blended Georges Méliès's real (and fictional) life here. With a boy's point of view, George has transformed from a grumpy old mechanic store owner, into a former pioneer in the film industry crashed by his own dream. I tasted the bitterness, George's bitterness. The boy unconsciously teared up everything George wanted to hide away for so long, because of the search of the mystery his dad left to him. This grumpy old man had to face everything went through his eyes, all over again. I see the pain, also the trace of his dreams, reviving awaited.
And this is why the film should be praised. What Martin just did is to retrace everything deemed pioneer to this film industry into this boy's fantasy film (wait this is a weird phrasing). Some "special effects" dated back may be ridiculous at present time, but without these, you will not have your Lord of the Rings Triloigy now. And the best part is, these reminiscing scenes are in 3D. You don't get to experience the first time that showing a video with a train driving towards the camera. But you get to watch the crowd shocked by the video, in 3D. To me, Martin has successfully incorporate technologies with fantastic story, not just a carrier of a film.
The portrait of the relationship between George and the Jeanne is stunning. The love between them is significantly related to their career, filming. She's his brightest star, after all. After the war destroying every bit of his dream, hers can't be existed alone for sure. When the excitement of making films gone, the flicker of the passion in their eyes were gone, as well. That became a serious taboo in the household, then fear. Thank God it isn't gone forever. When Hugo brought back the remaining film preserved by a historian, I see the excitement lights up her eyes. Then my eyes misted.
I won't categorize Hugo as an adventure movie, if this category can only be available to Caribbean-like flicks. You won't get an adrenaline- overdosed body after watching this. It's a breath of fresh air, with fulfillment.
http://morissett.pixnet.net/blog/post/30597186 Also review in Chinese.