It's hard to fault this perfectly executed adventure fantasy

Rating: 9/10 (4 January 2012)

The fact that Ben Kingsley doesn't overact here you would think is blessing enough, but even more impressive is the discovery of someone like Asa Butterfield who is a director's dream and undoubtedly a once in a lifetime find. If that wasn't enough, Sacha Baron Cohen gives a wonderful performance which, surprisingly, makes up for all the crude and gross shenanigans he's engaged in up til now. I'd feel good about recommending it on the strength of his performance alone. Still, this is pretty much a kid's movie with themes a kid should be able to understand and feel an affinity to. That it can charm adults as well is a real tribute to Scorsese's unassailable mastery of the medium.
Scorsese probably thought that the story's eventual involvement with the birth of film gave him an excuse to pursue this children's story, but I was left wondering why he hasn't done even more in the same vein. I for one enjoyed this movie more than any of his previous films despite the subject matter or that it's a fantasy. Also it seemed odd to me given Scorsese's love of Italian themes that this movie is set in Paris, but it's a virtual love letter to a not too long ago Paris of steam engines and minimal conveniences.
I even saw it in 3-D which I was resolved not to see unless absolutely necessary. Happily it was not the impediment it usually is.