Kubo and the two strings – a review

The blank version is HERE

Young Kubo lives with his ailing mother in a cave on the edge of town. Every day he goes to the market square to play his magical guitar for the townsfolk; telling origami stories of the fabled knight Hanzo and the moon daughter. But Kubo must always be back inside the cave before night falls. When, one day, he stays out as the moon rises, his adventure begins.

Two matters: First, and foremost, I'm biased. I'm a heavy Laika-junky. I love all stop-motion animation from the earliest experiments way-way back in the nineteen-tens to the present. I'm just one of those happy nerds. So keep in mind that this review is going to be biased. That's all I'm saying.

Second; what’s under the eye-patch? I’m sorry. After the Walking Dead and growing up with the Goonies’ ‘one eyed Willy’ (who came up with that name?) I just want to know!

But then you remember; it’s a children’s movie! Kubo is even more akin to a fairytale or a legend. And like any original fairytale: it can be dark, dangerous and bloody. But the eye-patch stays on!

STORY

So, to start with my review; let's tackle the weakest bit first: the story! Basically, Kubo is set on a quest to find three MacGuffins. Like Indiana Jones, except this time the story has creepy sisters chasing instead of Nazis. It’s the most basic of stories, but is does allow several grandiose set pieces. Even though, at the end of the day, they feel forced (like the sudden, out of the blue, appearance of characters).

But overall the story works. By the end all the loose strands are tied together and every shaky bolt secured.

This does, however, sometimes resort in seeing plot twists coming for miles but that’s perfectly okay if that is what the story needs to move to the finale. But, overall, I must conclude that the story isn't much. There was far more to be had from this.

I wouldn’t even call it a twist to be honest. Rather an, for want of a better word, Aha-Erlebnis. 

What the story does very well though, is throwing enough mystery and magical mumbo-jumbo in that it glides over the various inconsistencies. If you think about certain events logically you’ll find out that a lot of stuff isn’t possible. But thanks to the handy cat phrases ‘magic’ and ‘fairytale’ you don’t have to mind them. It’s not a leave your brain at the door-movie, it’s a it’s possible because of magic-movie.

VOICE-ACTING

The acting is good. Matthew McConaughey and Charlize Theron are having quite some fun as Beetle and Monkey respectively. Art Parkinson, however, I’m not too sure about.

So here we have an Irish kid taking on an American accent to play a Japanese character?

There are moments (during the storytelling scene) where his voice shines through the screen. And then there are other moments (e.g. the final fight) where it feels a bit off. Nothing terrible, I just noticed from time to time. I guess the main character will always be the one under the microscope.

The three other billed actors (Ralph Fiennes, Rooney Mara and George Takai) get very little to do. But when they do perform they help the story.

In short: the voices are fine. Just hardly overwhelming -which is perfectly fine in any movie. A movie is telling a story by moving pictures. And the moving pictures in Kubo, well, ROCK!

EFFECTS

The effects then, in one word: HolycowhowdidtheypullthatoffthisisaMAzing! Oh how I love stop-motion animation. I don’t know how they pulled off some of the shots and I don’t want to know. I just wish, hope and pray that Laika never stops making movies. 

Heck, I’m Laika’s number one buyer of blu-rays and merchandise. So if they depend on my bank account for next year’s production budget, we’re cool. I, (yes it’s weird) actually own a Coraline doll.

The style requires a bit getting used to. It is all modeled after origami and Japanese art. But after five minutes in it feels natural and you are totally immersed.

MUSIC

Let’s make a small detour to the music. The trailer of Kubo had one of the best versions of George Harrison’s ‘While my guitar gently weeps’ in it. Hard drums, violins, even an actual guitar; it was one of the best versions I ever heard. And...it’s totally lacking from the movie.

Instead we get a slightly watered down rendition performed by Regina Spektor during the credits. A great version mind you, but a lot less epic. Such a shame. But then, I do understand, that would undermine the tone of the movie a bit which is basically a story about paternal love (and sororicide).

Also you'd better check this one out as well (or the Ukelle version ). This is one of those songs that could be played with a mouth harp and still sound great.

IS BIGGER BETTER?

As a final point I do wish to mention something that has been bothering me about this movie. The aforementioned ‘set pieces’. It’s obvious that Laika wanted to go all out with Kubo. We’ve got snow landscape, a fight under water, fire and smoke effects (no idea how they did it), a stormy sea and a gargantuan punk giant.

It’s amazing to see. And it is the craft of Laika that throughout all this showcasing they never forget the basic story and characters (with a lot of moving hair this time ‘round). But I don’t know if bigger will always be better.

Kubo is an adventure, so here it fits perfectly. But I do fear that in future projects Laika may forget that they are first and foremost telling a story. The beauty of the craft, sad to say, will always be a means to tell this story.

Through Coraline to Paranorman, via Boxtrolls to Kubo, Laika has always been ambitious of making better and grander stop-motion movies. I’m certain they are on the top of their game. But sometimes I fear that their future stories might suffer from an unnecessary desire to display their animation skills.

But that day hasn’t happened yet. So who am I worrying?

Wouldn’t it be great if Laika did another Niel Gaiman novel? The ocean at the end of the street comes to mind (or Fortunately the milk!).

At least someone in Hollywood should make Anansi Boys. Make the world a happier place for once.

CONCLUSION

Is Kubo the best Laika of the bunch? No, it’s not; the story is far too convenient to make a dent. Paranorman and Coraline are still the best. But keep in mind that Kubo is far superior than any of its competitors over the last year (which includes Zootopia). Laika is still on top of their game and Kubo is just one of its many gems. Their next features will be Wildwood and Goblins. I can’t hardly wait.