Review #61 | Kubo and the Two Strings

“If you must blink, do it now!” says Kubo, our young hero, in the beginning of the movie and that moment I knew it was well worth the wait. Kubo and the Two Strings is the latest stop-motion animated film created by LAIKA (Coraline, ParaNorman & The Boxtrolls). 

Kubo and the Two Strings, 2016

It is directed by Travis Knight who has also produced all of LAIKA’s previous films.
I have been very unfortunate little being to be dwelling on the other side of the world trying to avoid spoilers for over 2 months since the release of Kubo in the U.S. And since I live in Korea, I’ve been waiting for this movie for more than you can imagine. I finally got to watch it today, and yes, it was well worth the wait for two reasons: 1. There were literally no one in the theater besides me and one other person, which gave me the freedom of over exposure and 2. Because the movie was a visually stunning film, a breakthrough in stop-motion history.

Kubo and the Two Strings follows our hero Kubo on his quest to find the magical suit of armor once wore by his father to defeat the spirits from the past who try to murder him and his mother for betrayal. Kubo has to locate the suit of armor with a help of the monkey and the beetle in order to face his enemy.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the movie but if I was to nitpick this movie, I would say I was a little bit disappointed of how the movie ended. I mean, it could have had a better ending. Nevertheless, what was awe inspiring the most was the visuals. I have never seen a stop-motion animated film that was beautiful and as action packed as Kubo. The movie strives above them all. LAIKA really out did itself in this part.

Now, for the story, I was into it all throughout the movie thanks to the great scary sequences, that actually caught me off guard. After all, this is what LAIKA does best. Although the movie seems to take it seriously, it is actually very funny at times because of the great characters who truly feel alive (aka “animated”). It is hard not like any of them!

While journeying throughout the land and sea, Kubo has to locate the magical suit of armor and fight monsters. Those moments were the very high points of this movie. It was so intense and exciting, that the final battle between the enemy and Kubo felt a little disappointing. The enemy fell into a trap that most villains in super hero movies did: he kept on monologuing until his defeat!

My final thoughts. With a blend of an amazing score, Kubo and the Two Strings strives to be one of the best animated films of this year. I can’t say it’s the best effort LAIKA has delivered to us but it does stand close to Coraline and ParaNorman or even better, only time will tell.

Animation Magic Theater Rating: 88%