Kubo and the Two Strings

Genre: Children, Adventure, Fantasy
Rating: PG
​Warnings: N/A

The stop-motion makes for a ridiculously beautiful film, and one of the models being created is included in the credits for you to admire. It's not just the technique and the not-quite-plastecine look of the world, but the intricate details and artistic design of nearly everything.

Kubo's origami creations look like folded [reinforced] paper, and characters hair looked like plaited strings. The creepy sisters chasing Kubo manage to be eerily simplistic compared to the other characters, and later breakdowns of their facades somehow makes them even scarier.

It's a new and original story, but has the feel of watching a new imagining of a traditional fairy tale.

It's hard to tell the actual accuracy as a Westerner, but the Japanese culture included feels authentic. The festival at the beginning feels realistic and specific rather than a vague amalgamation of different events, and Kubo's origami and instrument seem to be true to life, magical elements aside. A point of note on his instrument; it has three strings, and the two strings of the title will show up later in the plot as a highly symbolic moment. It's touching.

The monsters and enemies are complex, having motivations and goals. There are moments of sympathy for the big bad Moon King, and an adult viewer might wonder for a second if their nefarious actions will actually lead to a positive result... But this is a children's film, so don't worry about any "The hero accidentally ruins everything" downer endings. In fact, we get even more of a good and positive ending, with Kubo and co defeating the villain not only physically but ideologically. Good triumphs over evil in every way possible.

That's not to say the plot is twee and simple. Bad things happen, terrible things in fact, and there are plot reveals that are genuinely surprising. While one character's true identity is hinted at and hinted at, another's is not even questioned until it is revealed! The things that are obviously going to happen are used to disguise other plot details, which is a clever way to do things.

Catch it in the cinema if you still can, and don't even worry about taking a child if you aren't a parent. This is one kids' film no one will be judging you for going to see by yourself.