Dazzling Effects Capture the Eye

Rating: 7/10 (26 February 2014)

I liked "Hugo" quite a lot, mostly because of the feast of visual effects that the film offers. The opening sequence, zooming through long-ago Paris, is exhilarating, perhaps even better than a similar flight in the otherwise forgettable "Moulin Rouge" (2001) by Baz Luhrmann. The story of "Hugo" is rather predictable and only mildly intriguing, and the acting is nothing special. However, Martin Scorsese's effective command of photography and sound leave no doubt that a master filmmaker is at work. It is well-nigh impossible to take one's eyes off this delicious screen banquet. What dazzling impact will next make itself be felt? Watch "Hugo" and be prepared for an amazing journey. Just don't expect much in the way of eventful storytelling.