Loved it!

Rating: 9/10 (3 July 2014)

I got to love Tintin when I lived in France. As far as I recall, there were Tintin cartoons on TV in the UK when I was a small child (late 60s?) and I certainly enjoyed them. But the books are truly, truly wonderful (as most reading this will know all too well already!). My French became pretty fluent as I lived in Paris and reading in the original language only added to the pleasure.
That said, I feel that those who are missing out on the pleasures of the film by comparing it with the books are, well, missing out! Of course it's almost a cliché, 'the film is a disappointing rendition of the book'. This may often be true, but usually only because people who have read the book obviously come to the movie with expectations: I saw all the Harry Potter films (on DVD), for instance, then (inspired by the experience) read all the books. Then I watched all the films again. The books win hands down (in spite of my admiration for Daniel Radcliffe). But my impressions of the films were influenced the second time around by remembering the books. I liked them better on my first go. But I am stating the obvious here....
So, all these comparisons with the 'bandes désinées', whilst understandable, are a bit of a red herring (or do I mean. a 'red haddock'?) IMHO. Yes, the film has some things I didn't get (too much Haddock and not enough Tintin, I agree) But watch the film as an artwork (and it is that, I think) in its own right and how can you not love it?