Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Screenplay by: John Logan
Based on a book by: Brian Selznick
In Paris in 1931, an orphan named Hugo Cabret who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton.
I've wanted to watch Hugo for a long time, mostly because of its steampunk look. Also knowing it was directed by Martin Scorsese helped a whole lot.
As the story progressed, it reminded me a bit of Series of Unfortunate Events - mostly because of the mysterious fire Hugo's father died in and the previously mentioned steampunk aesthetic of the film. However instead of being a simple mystery story for the whole family, it took a weird turn I did not see coming, and there's a chance it might've ruined the movie a little. Not that the surprise-element ruined it, it was the way the whole movie changed into something completely different. First it's about a young boy and then... Then you're not even sure what's happening or why it's happening.
I haven't read the book, and frankly didn't even know it was based on a book until I read that on IMDb. There's a chance this story and the turn it took works better as a book, depending on how long it is and how long they dwell on which part. But as a movie it just feels like there's a lot of themes and stories they wanted to work in the plot, but it just feels like a hollow mess. If anyone's read the book, be sure to tell me if it works better.
But there's a lot of good in this film. It looks amazing, the cast is incredible. What I love most about this movie is the smaller characters. They don't have that big a difference, but they are in the background, and there's some focus on them, and they make the world feel more alive. The characters are fun and almost caricature-like, and the talented actors, very familiar to the audience, make sure to amplify that feeling. My favourite, who got actually more attention than most of the side characters, might be Monsieur Inspector, portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen. It's a fun yet threatening character, who manages to have depth, even though he's mostly there so the main characters have someone to fear.
All in all, entertaining movie, even though it feels a bit long and tiresome, and even though I didn't like what it turned out to be about. I would've wished for a bigger mystery and more adventures, but if I view this once, it's not too bad. Second time it might get more annoying.
I've wanted to watch Hugo for a long time, mostly because of its steampunk look. Also knowing it was directed by Martin Scorsese helped a whole lot.
As the story progressed, it reminded me a bit of Series of Unfortunate Events - mostly because of the mysterious fire Hugo's father died in and the previously mentioned steampunk aesthetic of the film. However instead of being a simple mystery story for the whole family, it took a weird turn I did not see coming, and there's a chance it might've ruined the movie a little. Not that the surprise-element ruined it, it was the way the whole movie changed into something completely different. First it's about a young boy and then... Then you're not even sure what's happening or why it's happening.
I haven't read the book, and frankly didn't even know it was based on a book until I read that on IMDb. There's a chance this story and the turn it took works better as a book, depending on how long it is and how long they dwell on which part. But as a movie it just feels like there's a lot of themes and stories they wanted to work in the plot, but it just feels like a hollow mess. If anyone's read the book, be sure to tell me if it works better.
But there's a lot of good in this film. It looks amazing, the cast is incredible. What I love most about this movie is the smaller characters. They don't have that big a difference, but they are in the background, and there's some focus on them, and they make the world feel more alive. The characters are fun and almost caricature-like, and the talented actors, very familiar to the audience, make sure to amplify that feeling. My favourite, who got actually more attention than most of the side characters, might be Monsieur Inspector, portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen. It's a fun yet threatening character, who manages to have depth, even though he's mostly there so the main characters have someone to fear.
All in all, entertaining movie, even though it feels a bit long and tiresome, and even though I didn't like what it turned out to be about. I would've wished for a bigger mystery and more adventures, but if I view this once, it's not too bad. Second time it might get more annoying.
☆☆☆☆☆☆
6/10
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