More nostalgia than adventure - this is a film about dreams.

Rating: 8/10 (13 December 2011)

The site reviews of this film seem to be one extreme or the other. I can see both sides.
I'm sure that many felt disappointed in this movie because they expected a fun filled, family, Christmassy, period adventure film in 3D. It does come across that way from the marketing.
True it has all those elements, but what is unclear until you see this film is it is less of a family adventure movie and more a nostalgic look back at the glorious and magical days of early film. Particularly it is a biographical story about the great film pioneer George Melies.
If early film is not something that interests you, then you probably won't be 100% interested in everything this film has to offer. But beyond that there is still a wonderful world of magic, mechanics, childhood, wonder and dreams, all set in a bygone age, making 'Hugo' a real treat in it's own right.
Plus it's a joy to see a 3D film set in snowy, golden 1930's Paris rather than just 3D action blockbusters.
'Hugo' is brimming with Martin Scorcese's affection for the subject.Not just one of the world's greatest film historians, here he has brought the old world of film to life. Stories can be more powerful than text books.
In fact, my most magical moments of the movie were the scenes of Melies shooting his films back in the early 1900s. 'Hugo' allows us to revisit and re-experience these old treasures in a whole new light - now in glorious colour and 3D. You can trust Scorcese to get the accuracy of the details just right.
So this for me, is Scorcese's greatest magic trick in the film - breathing new life into old classics. I'm sure Melies would have approved and probably would have shot them in colourful 3D himself, had he had the technology back in 1900. 110 years later - Scorcese is doing it for him. I actually found this quite a moving tribute.
Also worth adding is Sacha Baron Cohen's character and acting were hilarious. Echoes of Peter Sellers in Dr Strangelove. Made me laugh out loud a few times. I put that in here because there are some negative reviews of him and i think those people may have missed the subtly, nuance and timing of which Cohen is a master.
So overall, expect less and get more. Expect a movie about film nostalgia and experience a movie about dreams, magic and the warming of the human soul.
Now i know what to expect of 'Hugo', i'm sure i will enjoy it even more on 2nd viewing. I'm sure others will too.