Review of Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) by Plain C — 18 Dec 2016

Surely what is going to be one of the leading candidates for Best Animated feature at this years Oscars, from the Laika studios known for Coraline and Paranorman and specialize in stop motion animation, Kubo and the Two Strings focus on Kubo and his mother who are in hiding from her two witch sisters after having fallen in love with one of her assignments Hanso, for whom she was supposed to have killed and instead marries and has Kubo.

On a ritual night of the dead that Kubo was not supposed to attend, he attempts to summon his fathers spirit and insteads attracts the witch sisters and his Grandfather the Moon King who are trying to get his last remaining eye and speak vengeance.

As with all of Laika productions, the animation has a spark and ornateness with is exquisite and given the Asian story and characters it only adds to the proceedings, and the elements of the stories being told through oragami figures also adds an intricate element that I haven't recalled seeing in many other production of this nature.

Worth a watch and strongly recommended. Will be interesting to see if it gets past the behemoths of Moana and Finding Dory in February.