The story in this movie moves very well and is easy to follow. This is an animated feature, but it was done with motion capture, so the emotions seen on screen are very human. Some of the action is not really believable, but this is somewhat of a fantasy story. So, suspend your belief for a little while; you’ll have some fun.
Steven Spielberg has been a very busy man as of late.
In just a few days, "War Horse" will be hitting the screens. He directed and produced that film and helped produce five other films this year.
Now, he's directed one of the better animated films of 2011 — “The Adventures of Tintin," which Spielberg also produced alongside Peter Jackson.
The Tintin stories are very popular in Europe, not so much in the U.S. They were created by Georges Remi who was known by the pen name Herg. They started as a comic strip in newspapers in 1929. The tales have been translated into many languages and have sold millions of books.
Taking to the silver screen now in America, we are introduced to Tintin (Jamie Bell). He is a journalist trying to find a mystery to write about. He and his ever-present dog, Snowy, come across a fantastic model of an old ship called the Unicorn. Fascinated by it, Tintin purchases the model and is immediately confronted by a man who wishes to pay him double for it. Another man offers to purchase the ship, seeming very intent on getting his hands on it. Tintin says the ship is not for sale.
Tintin gets his purchase home and while examining it his dog starts chasing a cat around the room, knocking over the ship and breaking the center mast. A small metal cylinder falls out of the mast and rolls under the cabinet. He goes out to find more information about the Unicorn, and when he returns he finds the ship has been stolen.
Following up on information he found, Tintin ends up at the old Haddock Mansion. There he finds a model of the Unicorn and one of the men who wanted to purchase it from him. His name is Ivanovich Sakharine (Daniel Craig). This is a second model of the Unicorn — not the one Tintin purchased.
Tintin returns home to find his flat has been ransacked by someone. He finds the cylinder and the note inside and then is called to the front door of his building. The first man who tried to buy the ship from him is there. The man is shot while trying to warn Tintin of the danger surrounding the ship. Before dying he leaves a clue for Tintin to follow. While speaking with detectives Tintin’s wallet is taken and the note from the ship is in it. He tries to chase down the pickpocket but to no avail.
Returning home, a man presents him with a crate. Tintin tells the man he did not order anything. The man responds that Tintin is the delivery, knocks him out and places him in the crate.
This is a wonderful adventure that most of the family will be able to see. The film was a little surprising having been given a PG rating. The violence seems a little extreme for some younger viewers. There is a lot of gun play and some blood. Tintin, himself, does shoot some people in the film. It could be difficult for younger children to handle some of the violence. Also, there is the presence of alcohol in the film. Tintin’s friend, Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis), is obsessed with it. It seems he acts crazy when he is sober and normal after having a drink, although he is told that is not the normal way of dealing with things.
The story in this movie moves very well and is easy to follow. This is an animated feature, but it was done with motion capture, so the emotions seen on screen are very human. Some of the action is not really believable, but this is somewhat of a fantasy story. So, suspend your belief for a little while; you’ll have some fun.
Spielberg may have been busy, but he did a wonderful job on this film and it shows. It is a good adventure film that kids can enjoy, and parents will be able to watch with them.
Shawn O'Neill is the Family Man Movie Reviewer on BYU Radio. His reviews can be heard on BYURadio.org and on SiriusXM Channel 143.