The Adventures of Tintin
Starring: Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig, Nick Frost, Simon Pegg, Daniel Mays, Gad Elmaleh, Toby Jones, Jeo Starr, Enn Reitel, and more.
Directed by: Steven Spielberg Screenplay by: Steven Moffat, Edgar Wright, and Joe Cornish Based on the Comics Series by: Herge Original Music by: John Williams
Premise: A young journalist finds himself in the middle of a grand conspiracy after he buys a model of a three masted ship from a peddler. (Rated PG)
Review: Need to say this first so you won’t have the expectation – the previews LIE. “A power that could have changed history” or “the greatest secret in all history” implies a secret weapon of some sort or something beyond anything we could imagine. It’s not, it’s money, lots and lots of money. No idea why the heck they didn’t just say so. We all love hidden treasure, right? Rewatched the preview so I could be sure it wasn’t my own fault. It wasn’t. With that firmly in mind before seeing it you won’t be disappointed when no ultimate anything appears. You’ve been warned.
That being said, the film was overall a lot of fun. The CGI was glorious – a total 5 out of 5 in that respect. There were times you’d forget it wasn’t real. The attention to detail was amazing. They also do some wonderful scene changes and point of view reflections that will almost make you “ooooh” and “ahhhh” out loud.
There are several animals depicted in the film. It was a lot of fun as each showed distinct personalities and even had important parts in the chases and adventures and I’m not just talking about Snowy.
I’d seen the comics eons ago, so the first time I saw the previews I immediately recognized Tintin, Snowy, and Captain Haddock. The true spirit of Herge’s work is definitely demonstrated here – homage to his art style and iconic representations of many of the characters are sneaked in early in the film. Captain Haddock uses a ton of his famous colorful, yet strange, insults/curses. It’s too fun to hear them spouted about. lol.
Adventure, excitement and more are there a plenty. One wild madcap ride through a small village will leave you breathless and wishing for a pause button like mad.
The only detractors to the film were several loopholes in the plot. If only one man survived the shipwreck and he kept the secret of what was there and where, except for the story and clues he passed down to his sons and grandson, then how did anyone else find out about it? Yes, he had superiors, but they wouldn’t have known about the clues or where they were kept. And it was odd the family had had money troubles and sold the estate if ‘something something something’ all along. (I can’t tell you. Wouldn’t want to ruin it! You’ll understand when you get there.) Worse, when the film is over, you’re left with the definite feeling there was something lacking. So because of these things the film was somewhat disappointing. Had expected more since Spieldberg, Jackson, and Moffat were involved.
In the end, it’s definitely worth a watch, if for nothing more than the amazing scenery and action sequences. Though it could have been more~! Will definitely keep the kids on the edge of their seats throughout.
Rating: 3.75 out of 5 (Hubby’s Rating: Worth Full Price of Admission)
