I thoroughly enjoyed this stunning film

Rating: 10/10 (4 December 2011)

I was keen to see this film from its publicity posters. I thought the clock looked like the clock on the Musee d'Orsay art gallery in Paris, which used to be Quay d'Orsay railway station, near the river Seine. I have since found out the railway station is Gare Montparnasse. What a treat to have the whole thing re-created in this beautiful film. There are so many facets to it, that I can only give an overall impression. I was totally engaged from the beginning. I wasn't sure about the 3D until I was completely amazed by the effects, especially sparks from the brakes of a locomotive which seemed to fly out into the audience and the smoke which appeared to linger in the auditorium. How brilliant is that! I love the cameos of station life, the flower girl with the fresh flowers which came in on the early train, the zealous gendarme with the mechanical leg, the lady with the dog and her admirer. Those who linger on the station like the smoke from the engines and those who pass through, hardly noticing anything. This film has everything to engage the enthusiast such as re- created steam locomotives, books and an Aladin's cave of a bookshop (like Shakespeare and Co). It demonstrates the mechanics of early film making, weaving the pioneers of the art into the story with a skill which engaged me completely, and tying it into the intricate mechanics of clockwork, a theme which runs through the film. Hugo is crafted to achieve an appeal to all generations. Our family group ages ranged from 8 to 65 and we were all completely bowled over with it. The whole story is carefully explained using the medium of quality film. Wonderful!