Evocative Cinematography, a Passionate Cast, and Good Direction Add Up To a Modern Classic

Rating: 10/10 (3 March 2012)

Everyone is probably familiar with the plot so I will waste no time and explain why this has become one of my favorite films. I can easily see why HUGO won an Oscar for best cinematography. Every bit of detail from the interiors of the train station to the crowded streets of Paris conveys a world of wonder. The movie simply looks beautiful and I was left captivated as I digested every carefully planned shot. While I focused on the actors in the foreground, there was plenty of detail in the background. Hugo's view of 1931 Paris from on top of the clock tower truly is breathtaking.
The passionate cast was well chosen by Scorsese and company. Ben Kingsley never fails to amaze me and does justice to the role of Georges Méliès. At first, Méliès appears to be a bitter old man with a mysterious past. As the film progresses, he slowly opens up. Even when he would yell at Hugo I could tell that he was not sincere in his harsh words but only a "broken wound up toy" that needed healing. The scene where he hands Hugo the burnt notebook was played to perfection by both actors. You could tell that Méliès feels upset and ashamed for what he put Hugo through; however, he tries to conceal this with his hostile exterior. Not many actors would be able to pull off such a nuanced performance. I was not familiar with Asa Butterfield (Hugo) and Chloë Grace Mortez (Isabelle) before watching this film, but I found them to be very charismatic. This is a good thing because they carry the film. Sacha Baron Cohen is also good as the station inspector. He is the comedic villain and while his performance is somewhat campy, his character perfectly blends into this fictional world. Instead of being a one-dimensional character, the film makes him sympathetic at times and gradually reveals more about his past. I also have to give a shout out to Christopher Lee, who is one of my favorite actors. Even though he has a small role as the bookshop owner, I was pleased to see him in this film. He turns 90 this year and is still going strong.
As a fan of the early silent films, I give Scorsese credit for paying homage to an art that does not receive enough attention today. I sincerely hope that this film and THE ARTIST (2011) will rekindle the public's interest in silent films. They are a fading art that deserves more study. The only time you will find a silent film on TV today is if you watch TCM. As a Harold Lloyd fan, I especially liked how the film pays respect to the comic genius in two ways. During the early portion of the film, Hugo and Isabelle sneak into a movie theater to watch SAFETY LAST (1923), which shows Lloyd's character hanging from the hands of a clock on a high building. Later in the film, Hugo will face a similar predicament as he hides from the Station Inspector in the clock tower. The clips from the Georges Méliès films are also a treat. These films are the origins of cinematic magic.
This is a perfect film in every way and I would recommend this marvel to fans of all ages. Unlike most films today that use CGI as a crutch, HUGO uses CGI to complement a strong plot.