An experience!

Rating: 9/10 (30 December 2011)

Well, I finally got around to seeing Hugo, after weeks of anticipation. Was it worth it? Yes. Hugo is not only a great movie, but, as the title of this review states, an experience. It's got enough wonder to take you back to a simpler time, filled with macabre wonder and awe.
With that said, there are a few minor problems with this movie. Asa Butterfield as Hugo Cabret and Chloë Grace Moretz as Isabelle are very uninteresting and bland. I'm sure they're nice kids, but the delivery of some of their lines is, for lack of a better term, wretched. However, they are saved by a strong supporting cast made up of Ben Kingsley, Helen McCrory, Jude Law, and Sacha Baron Cohen. These characters are far more interesting than the two leads, but that's very much a personal preference.
Even small roles are all far more engaging, even though they aren't really relevant to the plot. For instance, the character of Monsieur Labisse serves no real point to the overall story, but because he's played by Christopher Lee, the character leaves much more of an impact. Even Richard Griffiths and Frances de la Tour, as entirely irrelevant as their characters were, gave such a weight to their parts that you can't help but notice them.
The story starts off very slow, with no real direction or initiative. But, as time goes on, you see why the beginning started off slow. The film takes its time and, in return for your patience, gives you a heart warming throwback to...well, a lot of things. The main focus is that every person has a role to play, but it's up to that person to determine his or her own fate. That's a very deep message for a kid's movie. But it's also a throwback to old entertainment. Watching the scenes where Ben Kingsley's character reveals his past is indescribable. You just have to watch it.
Final verdict: Though I acknowledge the problems with this movie, I can easily overlook them because there's too many great things about it. This is the best movie I've seen all year, and I highly recommend it. Even the 3D isn't that bad; it's very atmospheric and impressive. This is Martin Scorsese first family flick, and it's a real gem.