Kubo is an enthralling film, taking the concept of a Japanese myth story and delivering some challenging and unique messages along the way.
Animation? I have never seen better stop-motion. There are practically no jumpy frames visible, and the art style is absolutely gorgeous. The designs are top-notch and the atmosphere sucks you in. The setting is so well-crafted that it seems Japan is being accurately represented, even if culture is mostly in the film's background.
The story itself has great mythic themes, with quests, villains and monsters. The Sisters are a highlight among Laika's horrors, a beautifully nightmarish combination of scary concepts who feel very authentic to Japanese folklore despite being invented here, and there's another fantastically creepy threat that invokes themes of hypnotic, trapping temptation a la the Greek sirens. Also, there are scenes of mythic violence that add weight to the story.
But the real story is tough yet inspiring, centering on the question of how to build family if the one life has given you is fractured. Kubo's mother is infirm and his relatives are abusive, trying to take him away from her. It's a rather specific situation I happened to personally relate to, having dealt with the disability of a parent and his abusive relatives making family life harder. Family is discovered and lost, and Kubo comes to find that blood can be powerful, but isn't everything. I respect so much that the film shows the nuance. Kubo's mom loves him and does so much for him despite her needs. Friends can become family and family can be evil and cut out, but family can be family too. The film is heavy and depicts darkness in a respectful way that doesn't turn to cynicism.
My criticisms are few. More Japanese or Asian voice actors would have been nice (none are in lead roles), and the resolution to the villain's arc doesn't quite land thematically or morally to me—not the way it's played, anyway.
In all, this film is an enchanting piece of art that has faith in its audience to understand its hard family discussions. Go see it.
Another reason Laika is one of the best studios out there.
Kubo is an enthralling film, taking the concept of a Japanese myth story and delivering some challenging and unique messages along the way.
Animation? I have never seen better stop-motion. There are practically no jumpy frames visible, and the art style is absolutely gorgeous. The designs are top-notch and the atmosphere sucks you in. The setting is so well-crafted that it seems Japan is being accurately represented, even if culture is mostly in the film's background.
The story itself has great mythic themes, with quests, villains and monsters. The Sisters are a highlight among Laika's horrors, a beautifully nightmarish combination of scary concepts who feel very authentic to Japanese folklore despite being invented here, and there's another fantastically creepy threat that invokes themes of hypnotic, trapping temptation a la the Greek sirens. Also, there are scenes of mythic violence that add weight to the story.
But the real story is tough yet inspiring, centering on the question of how to build family if the one life has given you is fractured. Kubo's mother is infirm and his relatives are abusive, trying to take him away from her. It's a rather specific situation I happened to personally relate to, having dealt with the disability of a parent and his abusive relatives making family life harder. Family is discovered and lost, and Kubo comes to find that blood can be powerful, but isn't everything. I respect so much that the film shows the nuance. Kubo's mom loves him and does so much for him despite her needs. Friends can become family and family can be evil and cut out, but family can be family too. The film is heavy and depicts darkness in a respectful way that doesn't turn to cynicism.
My criticisms are few. More Japanese or Asian voice actors would have been nice (none are in lead roles), and the resolution to the villain's arc doesn't quite land thematically or morally to me—not the way it's played, anyway.
In all, this film is an enchanting piece of art that has faith in its audience to understand its hard family discussions. Go see it.