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The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Dec. 26th, 2011 11:08 pmI saw Hugo today. I was surprised how many people were there with me. I suppose they also finally found the time to see it. I'm glad I did and I'm glad I saw it in 3D. It was filmed with 3D cameras proving once again that the only movies worth seeing in 3D are those made that way. All the trailers and description make it seem like science fiction movie, a steampunk one and the 3D, especially all the clockwork shots make it look like one even though all that is shown never strays from what is historically possible. Despite being totally fictious the story is actually pretty close to what actually happened. Even the train crash in dream sequence is something that actually happen. However the whole film is a Martin Scorsese's love letter to the cinema generally and to SF/F films in particular and the way the movie is made makes it feel like one.
This film is so beautiful that, especially in the beginning, one is just staring at it trying to see as much as possible. The views of Paris and lights, the snow, the gears of clocks and all of the Gare Montparnasse station. This is were the 3D shines making it all hyperreal and so wonderful. It adds also extra feeling to the story when you realise you watch the very beginnings of cinema on state of art modern 3D movie. The old films are the flat part - films within film - made easily discernible for their lack of depth. This is especially funny when we are treated to the famous Train Arrives at the Station movie that made people run away from their seats in fear of being run over, all flat and black and white, in a film that hurls colourful, 3D objects right at you. The beginning and the end of cinema. For now. One day people in total immersion will watch our movies the same way we see the old ones. The story is about hoping they will still appreciate the storytelling.
The story in this one is surprisingly beautiful and both heartbreaking and heart warming. There are so many broken people we start with and we watch them being repaired in the span of the story. Even the villain - the Station Inspector Gustave (played wonderfully by Sasha Baron Cohen - this is the best acting I've seen him do, not too over the top, even when he is the comic relief). It would be easy to hate him and let him get it in the end but even his character gets redeeming traits and story. It's amazing how lovingly everyone is treated and I admit, how easy it is to get tears in your eyes along with the characters (they cry all the time and it's all about happy endings).
The only thing that gets you a little bit out of the universe is when we get to the message part. This one were we are presented with the history of early cinema and the various old films come alive from the book pages. Despite all the moving pictures it feels like telling instead of showing. However it's far enough in the plot you are totally in love with all the rest it doesn't matter any more. And it is a part of how the plot is resolved. The whole importance of not only the art becoming part of other people who experience it but also it being part of artist that lets part of him survive and stay with us even after he is dead. It's also about appreciation and love and changing peoples lives by influencing their dreams and imagination. You know the standard version of the romantic reasons to make movies. Still it's in such a beautiful and heart wrenching package it silenced the cynic inside of me for a little while.
It is a beautiful film and a wonderful story. It has a great cast from both leading kid actors to all the adult ones including the small cameo by Ray Winstone (he was barely recognisable and it felt like one of those - "I know you guys so I will be in your movie" things as he has history with both Jude Lowe and sir Ben Kingsley but what got me most was all the talk about Robin Hood as he will always be my Will Scarlet). I loved sir Christopher Lee not being evil. I loved the all love stories but especially the one that will make Potter fans laugh (I should probably check if there is a ship for it). I'm glad I saw it today as it was a very Christmassy movie even though the holiday is never mentioned. It just has this feel.
This film is so beautiful that, especially in the beginning, one is just staring at it trying to see as much as possible. The views of Paris and lights, the snow, the gears of clocks and all of the Gare Montparnasse station. This is were the 3D shines making it all hyperreal and so wonderful. It adds also extra feeling to the story when you realise you watch the very beginnings of cinema on state of art modern 3D movie. The old films are the flat part - films within film - made easily discernible for their lack of depth. This is especially funny when we are treated to the famous Train Arrives at the Station movie that made people run away from their seats in fear of being run over, all flat and black and white, in a film that hurls colourful, 3D objects right at you. The beginning and the end of cinema. For now. One day people in total immersion will watch our movies the same way we see the old ones. The story is about hoping they will still appreciate the storytelling.
The story in this one is surprisingly beautiful and both heartbreaking and heart warming. There are so many broken people we start with and we watch them being repaired in the span of the story. Even the villain - the Station Inspector Gustave (played wonderfully by Sasha Baron Cohen - this is the best acting I've seen him do, not too over the top, even when he is the comic relief). It would be easy to hate him and let him get it in the end but even his character gets redeeming traits and story. It's amazing how lovingly everyone is treated and I admit, how easy it is to get tears in your eyes along with the characters (they cry all the time and it's all about happy endings).
The only thing that gets you a little bit out of the universe is when we get to the message part. This one were we are presented with the history of early cinema and the various old films come alive from the book pages. Despite all the moving pictures it feels like telling instead of showing. However it's far enough in the plot you are totally in love with all the rest it doesn't matter any more. And it is a part of how the plot is resolved. The whole importance of not only the art becoming part of other people who experience it but also it being part of artist that lets part of him survive and stay with us even after he is dead. It's also about appreciation and love and changing peoples lives by influencing their dreams and imagination. You know the standard version of the romantic reasons to make movies. Still it's in such a beautiful and heart wrenching package it silenced the cynic inside of me for a little while.
It is a beautiful film and a wonderful story. It has a great cast from both leading kid actors to all the adult ones including the small cameo by Ray Winstone (he was barely recognisable and it felt like one of those - "I know you guys so I will be in your movie" things as he has history with both Jude Lowe and sir Ben Kingsley but what got me most was all the talk about Robin Hood as he will always be my Will Scarlet). I loved sir Christopher Lee not being evil. I loved the all love stories but especially the one that will make Potter fans laugh (I should probably check if there is a ship for it). I'm glad I saw it today as it was a very Christmassy movie even though the holiday is never mentioned. It just has this feel.
