Review and Analysis of Hugo

Rating: 10/10 (24 May 2016)

Hugo, a Spectacular Masterpiece
Alejandro Inarritu, a Mexican film director and producer once stated that "To make a film is easy; to make a good film is war. To make a very good film is a miracle." Martin Scorsese, a cinematic genius, directed the award winning 2011 film, Hugo, which fits the definition of a very good film. Each aspect of making this film proves extraordinary: the accordion French music, the beautiful and smooth cinematography, perfect lighting, and astounding actors. Additionally, Hugo expresses a unique but important message about the role each individual plays in this world. Great films entertain the audience, create miraculous filmmaking, and convey a deeper meaning to the audience, as shown in the award winning Hugo.
"Once upon a time, I met a boy named Hugo Cabret," begins Isabelle, "He lived in a train station. Why did he live in a train station, you might well ask. That's really what this book is going to be about. And about how this singular young man searched hard to find a secret message from his Father, and how that message lead his way, all the way home." Isabelle begins to retell Hugo's story, providing the viewer with the beginning of a plot summary. As an orphan, Hugo lives in the walls of a train station in 1930's Paris. He works as the clock winder, a job previously held by his deceased father and uncle. Hugo loves everything mechanical, and he strives to fix the automaton, a moving mechanical device made in imitation of a human being, his father left him. Embarking on a miraculous journey, Hugo meets George Méliès, a grumpy shopkeeper, and his goddaughter, Isabelle, who significantly impact his adventure. Surprising results follow as Hugo and Isabelle discover and unlock hidden memories involving the automaton, his only possession from his father.
Robert Richardson's smooth and dramatic cinematography proves the most stunning and extraordinary aspect of the Hugo filmmaking. In 2011, he won the Academy Award for the best cinematography for his work on Hugo. Beginning with the opening scene, Richardson amazes his audience with an impressive aerial, tracking, and close-up shot combined. After an entire year, and the use of one-thousand computers, Richardson masters his shot beginning as an aerial view of Paris and slowly zooming down on the train station. Cameras smoothly transition through a crowd of people, creating an eye-level tracking shot, and then moves above the people and zooms in on Hugo, viewed as a close-up shot through the number four of the clock. After a view of the daily shopkeepers in the train station, the camera travels with Hugo as he climbs down through a series of machines in the tower, employing tracking shots again, particularly as Hugo transits down a ladder and slide. Such shots amaze analytical viewers as the camera moves smoothly down the ladder and around the windy slide, following Hugo all the way. Viewers then receive a close up view of a detailed reflection of the clock in Georges Méliès' eyes. This one scene combines these incredible shots, revealing Robert Richardson's amazing cinematography.
Not only does the film entertain the audience, but it also successfully conveys a deeper meaning and enlightens viewers on filmmaking history, providing audiences with a great movie. As viewers experience flashbacks throughout the movie, glimpses of early filming and stage props appear. Like the viewers, characters also seem amazed at the color amidst a black and white movie. When Isabelle inquires about a scene's color, Mama Jeanne, an actress and Isabelle's godmother, says, "Of course it is, we tinted them! We painted them by hand, frame by frame." In addition to history, Hugo makes viewers feel purposeful. Hugo says, I'd imagine the whole world was one big machine. Machines never come with any extra parts, you know. They always come with the exact amount they need. So I figured, if the entire world was one big machine, I couldn't be an extra part. I had to be here for some reason. And that means you have to be here for some reason, too.
Although he directs this statement towards Isabelle, he also communicates the idea that every person belongs in this world to the viewers. Additionally, the film tells the audience to follow their dreams and fulfill their purpose. When referring to machines, Hugo says, "If you lose your purpose... it's like you're broken." Hugo contains such a rich, fulfilling meaning and successfully reaches the audience with a powerful message. Toward the end of the movie, Georges Méliès leaves viewers with a very encouraging quote. "My friends, I address you all tonight as you truly are: wizards, mermaids, travelers, adventurers, magicians... Come and dream with me."
Hugo, a spectacular film, successfully entertains the audience, contains great filmmaking aspects, and provides viewers with a meaningful and clear message. Through the eyes of a young boy, viewers learn the importance of doing what they do best and love to do, whether filmmaking, acting, painting, or fixing. After watching this movie people understand that they are a piece of a huge machine that could not function without every individual. Each aspect of filmmaking contributes to this remarkable movie: the acting, cinematography, music, and lighting. Truly a beautiful film, Hugo reaches all audiences and ages and makes a great family movie. If desiring a touching and inspiring masterpiece, this film will satisfy anyone's expectations and more.