My daughter and I had been waiting to see Kubo and the Two Strings all summer. We weren’t able to go Thursday or Friday, but we managed to make it Saturday. I was so blown away by this film in every aspect. From art design to story, this film is one of my favorites. I give Kubo and the Two Strings an emphatic Must See rating.
Kubo and the Two Strings will immediately be added to my movie collection once it’s released.
Kubo (Art Parkinson) has not had a normal childhood. He takes care of his mother and tells stories at the local village. Kubo is sent on a quest to locate a magical suit of armor worn by his late father after a vengeful spirit from his past finds him.
Travis Knight makes his directorial debut with an animated masterpiece. He was lead animator on Laika’s Coraline, ParaNorman, and The Boxtrolls so he clearly knows his stuff. However, I was so blown away with the look of this film. I’ve not seen Boxtrolls and probably need to revisit both Coraline and ParaNorman as both of those were watched at home. Kubo, unlike the others, had my full attention. I really want to watch a documentary on the making of it as the time lapsed clip at the end only made me more curious to the process. Just know that the characters are claymation not computer generated. Not to say there isn’t any post-production effects, but still this film is a marvel just by the animation alone.
A true Must See, Must Own, Must watch over and over film!
Then the story is what really got me into Kubo and the Two Strings. This film moved me to the point of tears three times, and it took every ounce of shame I could muster to keep it to just a few tears. The themes about life and death this film discusses hit very close to home. The journey that Kubo enters with his sidekicks is fun and adventurous. It feels a bit like an epic in many ways even pulling some Homer like bard moments with Kubo himself.
The voice cast is great as well. I loved Art Parkinson as Kubo, but Charlize Theron as Monkey and Matthew McConaughey as Beetle were outstanding. Even though McConaughey’s jokes felt a bit scripted, he still managed to be extremely lovable and a great on-screen presence. Theron gave such life to Monkey and so much character. Not to short Ralph Fiennes, Rooney Mara, Brenda Vaccaro, George Takei or any of the other voices in the film. Vaccaro gives some of my favorite lines in the film actually.
This is an instant classic in my house. I’ll buy this film as soon as I am able to and will likely watch it time and time again. If you’re one of my students reading this there is a good chance I’ll be teaching this at some point. I don’t think I would change anything about this movie. It’s charming, exciting, impressive, and touching. Go see this film in the theater and help art get the recognition it truly deserves.
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