A marvelous invention created for all ages.
Released: 2011
Genre(s): Adventure, Drama, Family
Martin Scorsese has had one of the most lucrative and critically-acclaimed careers of any high-echelon movie maker within the past few decades, crafting films ranging from psychological thrillers to gangster dramas. His ability to infuse his works with honest emotion, instead of artificially coaxing it onto the screen, is a true gift and a consistent mark of quality that he continues with his family-friendly adventure "Hugo." Based on the historical fiction novel "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" (which I unfortunately haven't had the pleasure of reading yet), the movie spins a whimsical tale spanning the loneliness, curiosity, and sheer noble determination of a young boy. The brilliant execution here means the storytelling never dumbs itself down to infantile numbness, or hurls abrasive preteen angst at us, but stays universally-appealing through an artful and pleasant blend of humor, action, and wit. Enhancing this film's charm are its hauntingly beautiful visuals; at moments the cinematography is colorfully playful and bold, painting for us a Parisian wonderland, then suddenly it becomes almost eerie and sorrowful, a delightful dichotomy that truly expresses Scorsese's stylized vision. The world we're allowed to see is an absolute dream, one that manages to be enchanting and fantastical, while simultaneously remaining steeped in reality. How sincerely appreciative I am to have been served such a generous helping of magic, sans flying spell books or wild, mythical creatures roaming about. Instead, "Hugo" gives us exactly what we're looking for, a sentiment that mirrors a line within the movie itself: Hugo turns to one of his friends and utters "Machines never come with any extra parts, you know. They always come with the exact amount they need." This film is just such a machine.
Rating (out of 5): 4.5
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