An Okay Film

Rating: 3/10 (27 November 2011)

From the trailers I was very excited to see the movie with my 9 year old cousin (so was she). I could tell from the trailer she wouldn't be bored to tears and she would be able to understand the movie (with not wanting to see Christmas movies, and the other too inappropriate). Unfortunately the the entire time throughout the movie I wanted to close my eyes and take a nap. The story line in the beginning left me with numerous questions as to why an orphan boy was living in a clock tower, looked healthy as can be, didn't have very long hair, and had a smile of his face. "Eh, it's a children's movie" I'm thinking to myself. So I go along and it takes a while (about what seems to be 40 minutes) for these questions to be answered. As to why he looks so healthy and lively is probably because it's not exactly appropriate to show a sickly boy in a 'children's' movie.
As the movie progresses the story line seems to be pulled along by a train with no wheels. Hugo 'be-friends' a girl named, Isabelle. Isabelle is a bookworm as it seems and a the god-child of Georges (whom Hugo works for). Throughout I bare my eye open in knowing I'm going to have to have a reason as to why I disliked the movie so far. We learn Hugo has a 'metal manikin' and through the excitement of Hugo and Isabelle I assumed the 'manikin' would provide comfort to Hugo seeing as he only has Isabelle as a friend so far. I assumed it would get up and talk the way Hugo was so excited about it. No, it did not.
Moving past the way the movie moves so slowly I would like to address that this movie is NOT recommended by me to have a child who does not understand what Silent Movies are, why they have such a meaning to us, and what is reality and what is not. Though the first part is about Hugo and fixing this 'manikin' the second is about finding out why Georges is so upset about finding Hugo's notebook. Also, why (when Hugo fixes it that is) why 'manikin' drew a picture with Georges signature on it. The two friends find out that Georges created silent movies that opened the 'world's' eyes it seems to what could be made from movies. Entering dreams. They show some silent films made by Georges and they are great to see (as I, though only 15, have enjoyed). Younger kids may not understand this part of the movie so explanation maybe needed.
In one scene it seems that a train is going to hit Hugo while he on the tracks. The train is pulling into the station at a very fast speed (again, why? What trains pulls in at what seems to be 45mph?). The train hits Hugo and barrels through the station and eventually through the (what I think), the clock. Hugo wakes up in a panic. As this scene is going on a child behind me continually asks his mother an father what is going on. My cousin gives me a confused look and I'll know that later I'll have to explain. Turning back to the screen I see Hugo unbuttons his shirt to reveal he is made of clock work. Again, it is only a dream and again the child behind me asks because he doesn't understand.
In another scene Hugo actually jumps down on the tracks to get the 'manikin' that has fallen down there. At first I'm unsure as to why but eventually I realize that this is reality but I'm unsure whether Hugo knows that. The train is barreling down the tracks and nearly hits Hugo but the station 'officer' pulls Hugo to safety. In my opinion that isn't appropriate to a child who doesn't understand what is reality and what is not.
My final is that Hugo and Isabelle are children around the age of 11-13. From what Hugo does I would much rather have him be a 14 or 15 year old boy. He's outside a clock and one wrong move could send him down to his death. His knowledge and maturity does not fit him, nor Isabelle's no matter how bright she is. I assure you, I was not this smart when I was their age.
Overall, this movie bored me, I didn't find the trailer fitting to the age group, and deserved a 3 or 4.