A fun family adventure film

Rating: 8/10 (1 December 2012)

When young reporter Tintin buys a model of a sailing ship he has no idea what an adventure it will lead him on. The model itself isn't that valuable but it holds a clue to a cast treasure that has lain at the bottom of the ocean for centuries. To be more accurate it holds the third of a clue; to find the treasure one must reunite three scrolls secreted onto three models of the ship; The Unicorn, and legend has it with these three scrolls a member of the Haddock family will be able to find the treasure. It takes a while before Tintin learns this of course; at first he just knows that a couple of people are very keen to buy the model off him and one of them won't take no for an answer. Shortly after one of the potential purchasers is shot dead in Tintin's doorway he is kidnapped and taken aboard a freighter bound for Morocco. If he is to survive he will have to get off the ship along with its drunken captain Captain Haddock; the last descendant of Sir Francis Haddock; captain of the Unicorn!
When I saw trailers for this film I thought the CGI looked a little too good; distinctly in 'uncanny valley' territory but when I came to watch the film itself I soon stopped noticing it; in fact I think it may be the most realistic looking fully animated film I've seen. While the characters don't look quite real; often due to their large noses, they do look surprisingly human. The use of motion capture rather than more traditional animation means that the movement looks particularly natural; so much so that when something cartoony does happen it comes as quite a surprise.
The story is a good fun adventure that can probably be enjoyed by all but the youngest children. There is a good plot but it isn't convoluted and never gets in the way of the almost constant action. There is a degree of violence although it is rarely bloody; in fact the only blood I recall was part of a clue and definitely not excessive. The cast of fairly well known actors does a fine job although none of them look like themselves due to the characters being made to look like their comic counterparts rather than the actors. I'm not sure how the story compares to the original comics as I never read them but it is a fun film for the whole family to enjoy.