A superb thrill ride worthy of the comic book

Rating: 10/10 (10 December 2011)

OK, so here it is at last. Spielberg and Tintin united! How much better can it get? Being 21, I was introduced to Tintin by my father as a child, like any french-speaking kid in this world ought to be. I've loved Tintin for as long as I remember, and got pretty excited when I learned Spielberg and Jackson were behind this pearl of a movie. The question is now: does it live up to the expectations of millions? Absolutely! The Adventures of Tintin begins with a charming nod to Hergé, and quickly builds up speed. As the story unfolds, you will meet a cast of classic Tintin characters like the Dupond/ts, Captain Haddock, the Castafiore, Alan, and so on so forth. They all are very true to the comic, while also feeling uniquely human. Haddock is a highlight. The gruffy captain is never quite doing anything right, which is exactly why you'll like him. Snowy must be the most enticing dog ever caught on film (as to say) and I do believe he will be a standout for most viewers. After 2 hours, the story has this great open ending (when you know what will come next!) and you will swear you were not seated for more than 30 minutes.
While the some may be putt off by the photo-realistic animation (The abhorred uncanny valley) I was absolutely delighted by the look and feel of the characters and set pieces. They all look so very real, and at the same time so very cartoony, I couldn't ask for more. The action sequence are as grand as Spielberg and Jackson can be (The morocco chase and the Pirate battle are instant classics) and John Williams delivers as usual (although there is no definitive theme that will be remembered as "That Tintin Song").
All in all, I was delighted by this movie, and so were my friends. Go see it, go love it, and read the comic books if you are not familiar with them, they are excellent.