Scorsese does it again!

Rating: 9/10 (2 March 2019)

Unique, original, creative, inspired, magical ... Fantastic!
That's my impression of Martin Scorcese's "Hugo." It was an exquisite pleasure to stumble upon this movie at a recent television showing on TCM. The reason being that I've only recently viewed my very first George Melies films on a newly -release Bluray of Melies films. What a surprise to discover that "Hugo" is a film based at least in part on Melies' life as a film-maker.
Nominated for 11 Academy Awards in 2012 (and picking up 5 Oscars) this movie has it all: set design, costumes, cinematography, visual effects, editing, screenplay, plot - not to mention masterful directing from Scorsese himself. If there's one thing that keeps this film from being a masterpiece, it's the acting, which is certainly adequate but fall short of being outstanding.
I won't go into details about the plot, but anyone familiar with silent films will be delighted to see clips of silent classics interwoven into the plot itself. As well, several well-know silent film motifs are referenced and incorporated into the story line. Of course the focal point in this regard is Melies himself, and we're treated to several clips of Melies' most famous pictures.
"Hugo" is a meditation on revering the past, family connections, living one's dreams, finding a purpose, never giving up, the passage of time, and the technological wonder of the movies. Well done George Melies, and well done Martin Scorsese!