Andy Serkis is the Breakout Star

Rating: 7/10 (24 November 2011)

With set design and even lighting to be added later, Steven Spielberg was as free wheeling in his direction as he almost was of the first 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'. 'Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' could certainly have done with the injection of air and deftness of touch that Spielberg applies to TinTin. The reason to see the film, however, is the performance of Captain Haddock by Andy Serkis - only slightly enhanced by a veneer created by the bank of CGI animators at WETA.
Serkis channels a range of influences, from Rab C Nesbitt, Billy Connolly, Sean Connery and even not a little Marcel Marceau in his Rabelaisian creation and it is fascinating to watch.
Eminently Oscar worthy - three times the charm, Academy!