Kubo and the Two Strings
Starring Art Parkinson, Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey
Directed by Travis Knight
Portland-based Laika’s fourth stop-motion animated feature is a spellbinding delight for all ages that casts a lingering spell which will resonate with audiences long after the closing credits have rolled.
Kubo and the Two Strings is an ancient Japanese tale about a young boy named Kubo (Parkinson, best known as Rickon Stark from TV’s Game of Thrones) who embarks on a dangerous quest to find pieces of his late father’s armour in order to defeat the vengeful spirit of his grandfather. Along the way, he’s joined by a dry-witted and courageous monkey (Theron) and a samurai beetle warrior (Matthew McConaughey, providing plenty of well-timed comic relief).
From its opening scene, the movie is an absolute wonder to behold as the story immediately pulls one into the striking landscape and highly refreshing narrative. The jaw-dropping stop-motion techniques are consistently impressive and the story is full of incredibly well-choreographed action.
Kubo isn’t afraid to bury its mature themes and poignant lessons beneath a cloak of wacky characters and slapstick. The film, like the studio’s previous offerings (Coraline, ParaNorman), contains aspects that could be deemed frightening for small children yet also creates opportunity to create dialogue with kids about why scary things can sometimes be healthy.
Kubo and the Two Strings is a rare gem, a masterclass in filmmaking that demonstrates genuine originality. The sheer craftsmanship of the marvelous technical achievements, mixed with a thought-provoking screenplay and fantastic vocal work prove Laika is one of the most ambitious and important studios currently producing true cinematic art.
