Review of Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) by Joe C — 17 Jan 2017

Immersive considering the problems I have with this in children's films nowadays (my problem not theirs). The animation is unparalleled as far as stop motion goes, especially the choices in colour and tiny details that brought the characters evermore to life. The characters weren't flawless but had enough energy and interesting plot devices to keep them going through until the end.

The fights were admittedly great and the attention to detail in the action made me sometimes feel as though I was watching an episode of Samurai Jack. I do feel that this movie fell for a lot of the same cliches as a lot of children's movies nowadays and the gridlock emerges yet again on how children's movies should be rated. It rises above the swamp of dreck that a lot of the newer generation are being subject to and earns its glory. That being said, it never matches the atmosphere of the likes of 'Rango', an easy comparison but nonetheless an uncompromising take on the genre.

I may improve this rating on a second watch but as far as the movie spoke to me personally, I'll go with a 3.