For 1 hour and 40 minutes I was a kid again

Rating: 7/10 (6 November 2011)

There was a time where kids found entertainment by reading the daily comics or even buying them at the local bookstore, awaiting the adventures of their favorite superhero. "Tintin" was my childhood favorite, and although it wasn't in English when I read it, they were (and still are) extremely exciting and humorous page-turners.
I've always awaited the next one, but I was disappointed when I found out that the comics were old and that the author had already died. I wasn't disappointed that they were old, heavens, no - I was disappointed that there were no more adventures of that intrepid reporter, his faithful dog, and his wide variety of friends and enemies that always makes for such an exciting read. Years later the 1991 animated series popped up on Cartoon Network Asia, and it was a fixture for me. The series is brilliant - as loyal as a Belgian animated series could be. I've always thought that if Hollywood decides to make a movie, the only person who could've done it and pulled it off was Steven Spielberg ("Indiana Jones" took inspiration not only from James Bond but also from Tintin).
Flash forward to 2011. Spielberg was directing, and both he and "Lord of the Rings" Peter Jackson are producing it. I became hugely excited. Despite knowing that it was going to be filmed in 3D animation, I walked into the (2D) theater with high expectations. And despite its flaws and slight deviations from Herge's comics, I was not disappointed. There was a sigh of relief - a ringing thought that kept saying "Spielberg has done it."
"The Adventures of Tintin" is a great film for the family to be on the edge of their seats. The plot is "The Secret of the Unicorn" dashed in with bits of "The Crab with the Golden Claws" and "Red Rackham's Treasure". The mystery and intrigue are combined with engaging and at times outrageous/hilarious action sequences - one of which is a seamless, spectacular one-take chase scene which exudes a high energy level not sensed since those in the "Indiana Jones" films - there's a real high sense of adventure throughout the film. The effects are top notch and apparently show the best of motion-capture technology - it is so good that I forgot that I was watching merely animated characters and that I was watching a comic book unfold on the big screen. Spielberg and Jackson have triumphed with the motion capture here, making Robert Zemeckis' previous runs with the technology look pale in comparison. Crisp and colorful cinematography by Janusz Kaminski, fluid editing by Michael Kahn and yet another lively and bombastic score by John Williams make this an even more entertaining watch.
As for the good (motion capture) acting, Jamie Bell captures the Tintin character nicely. His look and speech is there - as well as his sense for intrigue. Andy Serkis is wonderful as the grizzled Captain Haddock - his comic timing and gruff voice perfectly embodies the character - although there are moments which makes the character too goofy, even more than his comic counterpoint. I didn't even realize it was Daniel Craig as the voice of the villain Sakharine with a slight dastardly sneer in his voice. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost don't get enough screen time as the dim-witted twin detectives Thomson and Thompson but their silliness matches the comics' counterparts but I feel it is not as humorous as when I first read it. They get the job done, though.
Somehow I don't like plots which are cobbled up from lots of different plots into one. They just don't blend together nicely, and this film is no exception - this being its biggest flaw. Right from the start of the movie (after the stylish beginning credits similar to Spielberg's own "Catch Me If You Can") the film never really focuses on its characters and goes straight for the mystery and the story. Haddock even takes center stage in many scenes instead of the titular Tintin. The characterization is at the mercy of the action-packed spectacles, and heart-pounding intrigue. It's a shame because the characters are interesting by itself - intelligent and spontaneous (Tintin and Snowy), cantankerous (Haddock), dastardly (Sakharine), silly (Thomson and Thompson), but not insulting to the audience nor stereotyped. If the film had 20 extra minutes devoted to its characters, then we just might have the first CG-animated motion capture classic. It's a bit of a shame, really.
Despite it's flaws, "The Adventures of Tintin" is a rollicking good time at the movies, a serial adventure with lots of action, excitement and humor, and perfect for families with its lack of adult content (apart from alcohol content and some intense action sequences). The effects are seamless and easy on the eyes (haven't seen the 3D version yet - though I've heard its very good). This is truly a Spielberg film - his entertainment sense still going strong.
For 1 hour and 40 minutes I was a kid again, fists clenched during the action sequences. Yet the characterization and their motives do not get their due, but I suspect that this was merely a way to introduce the world of Tintin to today's fast-paced audiences, and predicting that if they loved it, the characterization will be put into the sequels. Something like that. Maybe. Here's hoping.
It isn't as brilliant as the comics or the TV show but you could do much worse than "Tintin", because at least it doesn't have pointless action, choppy editing or shaky camera to ruin the effects; or cardboard, stereotyped characters to chew the scenery. "Battle: Los Angeles" or "Transformers" anyone?
Overall rating: 80/100