This generation's Indiana Jones.

Rating: 9/10 (16 January 2012)

The Adventures of Tintin is an exceptional piece of work; this and Super 8 really seemed to capture the nostalgic, heartwarming tone of some of Spielberg other classics like Jurassic Park and The Goonies. The movie is very long, especially for a children's film, but it goes by in a flash. As I left the theater, I found myself wanting more.
The story is very convoluted and adrenaline filled. and it's sure to entertain kids, as well as adults that read the original Tintin comics. I'll admit I have not read the comics, so I don't know if this film follows the integral story ark of the comics or if they just made it up. But, standing on it's own, it's good. There's some pacing issues and I would have liked to see more done with the mystery of the Unicorn, rather than it being a cat-and-mouse/revenge scheme, but I digress.
I feel bad saying this, but the character of Tintin is very bland. Again, I haven't read the comics, but judging by this film, he's just a generic hero; a journalist that will do anything to get the scoop on the latest story. I wouldn't mind so much if they'd given him more personality. But for Tintin's weaknesses, the movie makes up for it with a lot of colorful side characters. Andy Serkis is enjoyable comic relief as the drunken, but good intentioned Captain Haddock. Daniel Craig is delightfully over-the-top as the movies villain Ivan Ivanovitch Sakharine. And Simon Pegg and Nick Frost play a pair of bumbling, likable sidekicks named Thompson.
I'm glad the Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg wait a few years to bring us this movie, because the special effects are great. I haven't seen it in 3D, but it's not converted, and there are a lot of scenes that, I'd imagine, would look great in 3D.
Final verdict: This is summer blockbuster brought to us in the winter. It's good fun for the whole family. If you can sit back and enjoy yourself for 107 minutes, just admiring the fantastic visuals and funny side characters. you'd like this. I myself wish it wasn't so simplistic, but for what it is, it's a good movie.