Hugo

Rating: 10/10 (23 December 2011)

A Review of the movie Hugo
Movie Released 2011 Review date December 8th, 2011 Starring: Ben Kingsley-George Melies
Sacha Baron Cohen- Station Inspector
Chloe Grace Moretz- Isabelle
Jude Law- Hugo's Father Director: Martin Scorsese Writer: John Logan; based on the novel "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick
Reader, as I progress in this review, I will do my very best to be subjective and to avoid being opinionated. For the movie Hugo, it will be hard to express criticism. I am truly sorry if my critique offends anyone and I hope that this review will not prevent anyone from seeing the production as it would be unfortunate to miss this truly unique experience. I viewed the movie Hugo in 2-D, not in 3-D experience or 3-D IMAX and this review is based on this version.
The story is told through the eyes of Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield) who lives and works at a train station. He lives alone and fixes the clocks in the train station. The time period is long ago. Something happened to Hugo's father (Jude Law) before Hugo went to live at the station. He mentored Hugo in mechanics while attempting to repair a mechanical human being, however before the repairs were finished his father parishes, leaving him with his alcoholic uncle Claude (the reliable character actor Ray Winstone), who taught Hugo the trade of working mechanically with clocks. When Hugo went to live with his uncle he brought with him the last fond remaining memorabilia of his father, the unfinished mechanical human figure. Hugo felt obligated to finish the work on the human figure. Completing his father's work gave Hugo a sense of purpose and also a desire to understand the figures purpose. Curiosity motivates Hugo to undertake an adventure as he investigates the history of the mechanical human figure. In this quest Hugo enlists the help of a young girl named Isabelle (Chloe Grace Moretz). Along the way, Hugo unfolds the mysteries of the creation of the mechanical human figure, and of the lives many individuals who may have lost their way. Through his involvement, Hugo makes it possible for them to recapture what had mattered to them most.
What is interesting about Hugo's character is his interaction with other people. As important, is his observation of other people. A very powerful part of the action occurs when significant character development takes place as Hugo watches an older couple from a distance. As he observes the two older people, very little dialogue is heard, as they are engaged in their interaction, however their emotion is obvious. As he watches this scene unfold, the effect on Hugo is apparent. This has significant impact on him and on our understanding of him. These scenes gave a sense of the silent picture era, and possibly some homage is owed to Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window as this device was used extensively in that production.
Hugo encounters a cold, sad man named George Melis (Ben Kingsley) who is bitterly mean. George presents some obstacles that result in some setbacks of Hugo's investigation of the figure. Ben Kingsley's portrayal of George Melis is a truly convincing performance. This character engages the audience by generating interest and a desire to understand how and why he became the way he is.
The Train Inspector (Sacha Baron Cohen) has a goal, to bring homeless children to orphanages. His character is well developed. A sense of his human qualities is further advanced through his obvious longing of family and his humility towards the flower girl. He has many impediments in his social interactions including a faulty leg brace. A range of emotions are generated toward this character as the story unfolds.
Directed by Martin Scorsese, the result is a well-crafted, fine, beautiful and engaging motion picture. The success of this motion picture is an artistic expression of his obvious love for movies. He successfully created a living environment in which I at least partially resided along with the living characters through the duration of the showing and beyond.
Most of the activities take place within an engrossing location in Paris and is mostly confined to a train station which symbolizes the importance of the confinement that is experienced within the some of the characters' lives. Dante Ferretti as production designer accomplishes this realism through the selection of color, richness and elegant design.
The musical score from Howard Shore amplified the emotional actions and adventurous moments; giving a greater effect, enhancing the action, mood and impact of the production. Without a doubt Scorsese's often collaborator, director of photography Robert Richardson sizzles with smooth, graceful camera work, often flowing seamlessly, creating dramatic, powerful, and sometimes hypnotic effects.
In conclusion it may be appropriate to end with the following statement of summary. Throughout one's life many people are encountered, some will bring out the best and some will bring out the worst, and some will do both. Judging the overall impact is at best often not a possibility.
Rating: **** out of ****