Kubo and the Two Strings - Review

In recent times my opinions towards "kids" films has changed, it was only last year that I started to warm to the idea that they are slowly becoming better than most major motion pictures. Zootopia being a catalyst for this change in opinion and with that film winning Best Animated Feature at this year's oscars I will be reviewing that later on but this review is about Kubo. Kubo and the Two Strings should have won Best Animated Feature.

Its so refreshing to see a film where the content in the film is contained to the world and universe the film is based. We get no references to Twitter (Moana) or Iphones (Zootopia) the dialogue and content are all grounded in the context of the film. This is a major benefit for the film and allows it break away from other animated films.

This is one of the prettiest films of 2016 with its visual style and colour palette really complimenting the fantastical element of the film. This film also does boast creepy visuals and themes which again allows the film to be its own entity that lets the film stand the test of time. The setting of Japan provides an interesting backdrop to the film and really helps the proverb nature of the story and the film feels like a tale rather than a Hollywood screenplay, of course not all of the dialogue and story is perfect. There is a lot of redundant attempts at funny dialogue from Matthew McConaughey and the pacing of the film lets the quest feel less important than maybe it should be. Kubo seems to defy the odds very easily and I would have rather have seen more problem solving but its not a problem that breaks the film.

The sound and score in this film is very whimsical and like the art style really provides a Japanese feel which aids in creating a fantasy world. Kubo's music is especially pleasant and the visuals that accompany it are rather beautiful. This feels like an Enya music video in the best way possible, I really find the aesthetic of Kubo amazing in this current climate of poorly coloured and shot movies and having something that is vibrant and whimsical is a step in positive direction.

Overall Kubo is a good film, notice that I did not say kids film because I feel that this film is more than a kids film. With a "film" like Boss Baby coming out it really shows that there is a massive chasm between studio made kids films and artistic films that are for everyone. I recommend this film to everyone, it may not be the best film of 2016, hell its not even the best film of this art style but it was a lovely film that is not too taxing to watch and does have some dark elements which compliment the more pleasant aspects of the film.

8/10

Written By
Ashley Harvey