Hollywood wonder – It’s funny how movies can surprise you when you least expect it. Doesn’t happen often, but when it does, you can’t help but want to share the experience with someone. That’s the essence of moviemaking and why I wish there were more director’s like Martin Scorsese. They definitely don’t make em’ like Marty anymore, which is why more than any other reason, I wanted to see “Hugo.” So, to get this imaginative ride through cinematic history was a bonus I never expected, but was glad to experience.
What’s it about? For those like me who never read the Brian Selznick novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret, to which this film was based off, you are in for quite a treat. It follows the young life of Hugo Cabret( Asa Butterfield), who after losing his Dad (Jude Law) to a museum fire is forced to live with his drunk uncle. That’s the bad news. The good news is that his uncle worked at the London train station, so naturally, Hugo got to play within the walls of clocks and gears all day long. That was of course after his uncle taught him how to maintain these clocks, which would come in handy when his uncle disappears one day. Because in order to stay clear from becoming the next orphan picked up by Inspector Gustav (Sacha Baron Cohen), Hugo would have to keep the clocks in good working order. And when he wasn’t doing that, he was repairing his father’s most prized possession, an automaton – a mechanical man that was built to write. And one that Hugo was trying to get working with all the stolen mechanical parts from the train station. Parts that he would often take from the local toy store, but when that toy store owner catches him one day, everything changed turning Hugo’s world upside down. Not only would be introduced to Isabelle (Chloe Grace Moretz), he would be introduced to movies in a way his father could have never imagined, all leading to a conclusion full of gold.
Who was in it? For the most part, this cast is relatively unknown given Jude Law is barely in it and Sacha Baren Cohen isn’t playing some off-the-wall character like in “Borat” and “Bruno.” Sure, Ben Kingsley is no slouch, but he only supports the two kids that take the audience through this story, Asa Butterfield and Chloe Grace Moretz. For Butterfield, this was his first major role, so I can only get on him so much for little things that took me in and out of his character Hugo. But, for Moretz ('Kick-Ass', '500 Days of Summer'), who I have seen almost grow up on the big screen in less than five years, I was blown away. That might surprise some, but this girl can bring it. She truly is a natural and draws you into whatever she is doing, which is a trait you can’t teach. So, it was nice to sort of learn through her playful eyes what Hugo and his ‘automaton’ were all about. Without that and I doubt I would have enjoyed this film as much as I did, so thank you Marty for bringing Moretz into this film.
Old school meets new school - It’s hard not to start with the great Martin Scorsese here, but with a story as impressive as this one was, I can’t. That tells me I need to read the Selznick novel, for I can only imagine how great that book is and I’m not even a reader. Movies can do a lot, but books can do even more, which is why a lot of credit needs to go to John Logan, who adapted this screenplay. That’s no slight on my favorite director, who had more than a hand in how this film looked and felt. It’s just the facts and why I can easily see this film sweeping all the technical awards at the Oscars. Yeah, maybe it doesn’t scream Best Picture, but who cares when it’s this much fun to watch. So, good for Marty for wanting to bring this amazing story to the big screen in 3-D, as I probably would have never watched it, had he not been behind it. And what’s so cool is how he mixed “old” Hollywood with “new” Hollywood, but doing it in almost a seamless way. Paying homage to why he got into movies is nice to see and frankly unheard of nowadays. So, I praise Marty for always going that step further in a way no other director can.
Bottom Line – “Hugo” may not be in the minds of most moviegoers right now, but it should be. Forget about whatever you think this film is about and just go watch it. There’s a reason why it’s nominated for the most Academy Awards and with any luck, will win the most when it’s all said and done.
A
To find out where “Hugo” is playing in Jacksonville, click here
Comments