Hugo 3D. a movie I liked

[nancylebov]

This one is pretty charming, and also pretty.

Even though I saw it because people liked it without knowing anything else about it, and had a vague impression it was about Victor Hugo, my wondering whether the station guard was an inspiration for Javert didn't really do any damage, and I eventually figured out that it's simply cyberpunk fiction about an invented character.

I could write more about the plot and the setting, but if you want that, you could look it up elsewhere. Sometimes it's a pleasure to go in with a "tell me a story" attitude.

It's possible that there will be a sequel, but the story is complete in one movie.

It's a message movie, but the message is only underlined once, and the general point that what's needed is kindness and ingenuity is remarkably refreshing. There aren't any scenes of coercive interrogation by the good guys. As a bonus, romance isn't reserved for the pretty people.

With all this going for it, I'm willing to forgive an idiot plot (no one notices that the clock guy's salary isn't being collected, a large train station apparently only has one guard) and giving dogs human body language.

Comments

[venturous]

I loved the bright child at the center of how everything works, the message that creative work is a gift and a treasure, and Sacha Baron Cohen's goofy character.

[schemingreader.livejournal.com]

This movie was based on a popular children's novel, and I'm dying to see it because I read the book to my kid. Not sure when I will, though. The historical part of it was the filmmaker at the end--the silent films were real. There was no sequel to the book, which I recommend.

[madfilkentist]

I just finished reading the book a little while ago. The movie follows it very closely; some of the harsher bits are toned down, and the Station Inspector's role is expanded. He made me think of Javert too, with his obsessive pursuit of Hugo.

In the book, Hugo saves all his uncle's paychecks; I don't remember if the movie made this point. Back then the failure to cash checks wouldn't have been noticed as quickly as it would today.

I really, really, liked the movie.

[captain-button.livejournal.com]

I really liked it.
It was also my first experience of new 3D technology. Surprisingly, I was fine with it. It didn't give me a headache, the oversized glasses fit well over mine, and the 3D stuff wasn't obtrusive most of the time. It was occasionally distracting when they were pulling stunts like the side-on view of the flower display.

But I don't know that 3D really added anything to it.

Geekiness: There are three actors from the Harry Potter movies in it. And the Station Inspector is the guy who played Borat.

And the life of Georges Méliès before the movie is mostly correct.

[madfilkentist]

I would have said "the life of Georges Méliès before World War I is mostly correct." I'm reasonably sure he wasn't prematurely assumed dead.

[sodyera.livejournal.com]

I'd even go as far as to call Hugo beautiful, a loving tribute to Mellies.

[thnidu.livejournal.com]

I loved the book and am looking forward to seeing the movie.