Hugo

Rating:

I would describe ‘Hugo’, Martin Scorsese’s new cinematographic attempt, as a fairytale for adults, that takes children into account, but it is not exactly directed at them. The pace of the film tends to be less crazy than other films with the same release date (Arthur Christmas, The Muppets), and therefore, less entertaining for younger viewers. However, there’s enough visual and emotional material here to distract them.

The film is based on Brian Seiznick’s bestseller ‘The Invention of Hugo Cabret’ and it focuses on Hugo (Asa Butterfield) an orphan child from the thirties that lives hidden in a station in Paris and is in charge of watches. The kid will find himself involved in a mysterious adventure when he tries to repair a broken robot that his father left unfinished. One day he meets a girl (Chloë Moretz) that seems to have the key to solving the mystery of the robot.  

‘Hugo’ in reality is a love letter to silent film and the importance of preserving movies for posterity. Whoever knows Scorsese’s life, will know that the film was made for his biggest passion in life – cinema. This reminds me of how Quentin Tarantino had a similar message in Inglorious Basterds. The style is not what we have come to expect from the master. First, the work is done in 3D and takes place in Paris. Secondly, the concept of the film is family oriented: he’s never done anything like it. The result is a spectacular experience, it is in itself, a dream come true. 

The characters in the film are colorful and the cast’s acting seems sincere, but the one that stands out is Sir Ben Kingsley known for his masterpiece ‘Ghandi’ from 1982. The youngsters Asa Butterfield (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas) and Chloe Moretz (Kick Ass) do a good job although it is obvious that the boy lacks acting chops. The cast includes Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat) who shows a dramatic side for the first time, Emily Mortimer and Richard Griffiths, Ray Winstone as Hugo’s drunken uncle, Jude Law as Hugo’s father, and Christopher Lee, as a librarian.  

The 3D experience is one of this year’s best. You only have to see the opening scene to understand how wonderfully Scorsese presented it.

‘Hugo’ is one of my favorite movies of the year because it is visually impressive, it uses 3D technology perfectly, the story is original and it connects me with my passion for movies, I like its adventurous plot and the characters are memorable. And of course, it is yet another chance to delight ourselves seeing a Scorsese film, one of the greatest directors in the history of cinema. What a luxury!