Review of Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) by Eilidh2 — 19 Aug 2016
Kubo is staggeringly beautiful both visually and aurally. Dario Marianelli's score is sublime. The stop-motion animation has so advanced that nothing previously done is comparable in quality.
The story is simple. The hero Kubo must acquire the arms to protect himself from the evil Moon King, his grandfather. Along the way he is helped by Monkey a magical being Kubo's mother created from a talisman and Beetle, a giant man-beetle hybrid who suspects (he doesn't have a memory) that he must have been a warrior serving Kubo's father the greatest samurai.
The story is incredibly moving with great flashes of humor alleviating the mournful tone. Matthew McConaughey provides the comic relief as Beetle and, ultimately, a great poignancy. Charlize Theron is very forceful as the determined Monkey. The constant banter between the two is very amusing and gives the viewer the chance to catch their breath between stunning action sequences and the terrible sadness of events in the film.
As Kubo, Art Parkinson gives a performance that is haunting. It may only be a voice performance, but it is one of the best a child actor has ever given.
Rooney Mara playing both of Kubo's evil aunts is as creepy as the twins in The Shining. Ralph Fiennes was the only (slightly) disappointing performance.
This review of Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) was written by Eilidh2 on 19 August 2016.
Kubo and the Two Strings has generally received very positive reviews.
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