“If you must blink, do it now.” —Kubo
Today’s quick review: Kubo and the Two Strings. Kubo (Art Parkinson), a young storyteller, lives with his injured mother in a small village, hiding from his grandfather, the Moon King (Ralph Fiennes). When his grandfather finds him at last, Kubo’s only hope is a legendary set of armor that his father once sought. His allies on his quest are Monkey (Charlize Theron), a lucky charm come to life, and Beetle (Matthew McConaughey), a cursed samurai with no memory.
Kubo and the Two Strings is an animated family fantasy film inspired by Japanese culture. Kubo and the Two Strings features gorgeous animation, pleasing action, capable writing, a dash of humor, and a soundtrack that successfully blends traditional Japanese music with modern influences. The story overflows with creativity, and while the world has an arbitrary, storybook quality to it, the plot and characters are rich enough that the world never feels hollow.
Kubo and the Two Strings is a mixed media animated film, using a combination of stop-motion animation, puppetry, and CGI to create its unique aesthetic. The art design has a similar style to one of Laika Entertainment’s other films, Coraline, but even critics of the style will be pleased by the gorgeous animation and crisp camerawork. The movie goes all out with its action sequences, and its skilled animation and creative use of magic make them visual treats.
Watch Kubo and the Two Strings when you are in the mood for a creative and well-written work of art. Though both its art and its storytelling are imperfect, they are remarkable achievements nonetheless, with enough quality and character to secure Kubo and the Two Strings its own niche. Skip it if you are looking for more typical animation or a story with fewer abstract, fantastic elements.
7.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for strong writing and gorgeous animation.