“Kubo and
the Two Strings” Movie Review
This is an
odd one in that it’s a stop action animation (although it is so seamless you
will never know it) and a story that probably has never been heard in America.
Set in
medieval Japan, it stars a boy who lives alone with, and serves as caretaker for his widowed mother. It’s not explained why until late in the movie, but it
is obvious that something is very wrong with Mom. The boy, Kubo, has an amazing
talent with the samisen (a stringed instrument from Japan) and origami, the art
of folding paper into shapes.
The
backgrounds alone are worth the price of the ticket, but the story carries you
along so well the scenery barely registers-until it has a part to play. For
instance, the ocean’s awesome yet mindless power is extremely apparent in the
beginning of the movie. It may be to me, because I am a landlubber, prone to
seasickness at the drop of a bow.
Characters
are all believable. The good people are good, the villains extremely
villainous, and the special effects are incredible.
George
Takei plays a small ‘walk on’ role. I do wish they’d given him the primary male
lead’s part, especially because he is Japanese, but it was not to be.
Pay
attention to the strings. Despite the title, there are 3. They are symbolic and
play a very important part.
A friend
asked me how I liked it, as she was contemplating taking her 3 year old
granddaughter.
NO.
Despite it being an animation, there are some frightening scenes in it that a 3
year old can’t handle. I’d say 8 and above.
Don’t walk
out at the end of the movie. The credits roll accompanied by the unforgettable
licks of George Harrison (the only Beatle with any talent) covered by someone I
don’t know who. I have to say that the cover band did a better job than Harrison, especially by adding taiko drums! After the credits roll, there’s an outtake of the actual
production that you must see. Keep a real close eye on what that skeleton
tries.
If I were asked
to give it stars, I’d I’d give it 5.
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