Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
Time and time again Laika proves why the studio deserves to be respected as one of the best animation studios working today. Where the incredibly impressive stop motion animation might be enough to deserve attention, the studio continually puts out films of legitimate substance and craft with many considering 2016's Kubo and the Two Strings to be one of the studios best. Kubo (Art Parkinson) is a young boy who takes care of his mother who tells Kubo tales of his samurai father. Kubo is told to never be out during the night but one night when Kubo can't make it home in time the door opens for his two aunts Karasu and Washi (Rooney Mara) and his grandfather known as the Moon King (Ralph Fiennes) to find Kubo and hunt him trying to get Kubo's eye. Kubo's mom stops them for a brief period and gives Kubo time to join forces with a mysterious talking Monkey (Charlize Theron) and samurai Beetle (Matthew McConaughey) to find a mysterious set of armor which is the only thing that can protect Kubo from his family.
As mentioned one of the most unique but rewarding aspects of Laika films is the animation. Similar to Pixar pushing what computer-animation can do with every film, Laika continues to push the boundaries and size of stop motion animation and the results continue to be spectacular. Especially in Kubo and the Two Strings with the action and creativity regarding Kubo's ability to magically manipulate magic, the looks absolutely incredible and how it is able to competently build such extreme and complicated action scenes while holding onto a level of craft with strong cinematography is breathtaking. There are also countless small things like the cold way the Karasu and Washi sisters move and the lighting effects that help bring this world to life and noticeably have an effect on the viewing experience especially when it comes to bringing the villains to life.
The world the film creates also feels well built and thought out. As the film goes on more and more mythology and lore is revealed and for the most part everything feels like it not only has a place in the film but every reveal makes logical sense. It is clear that there was a lot of thought put into these characters and how this world would operate and that thought really came through. Sadly, how the film decides to explore this world is one of the biggest missteps the film makes. Where the film still is competent, the actual journey the characters go on feels very standard and uninspired with the small group of heroes going from location to location collecting different pieces of the object needed to save the day. The film also has a confusing relationship with comedy, where the actual adventure is emotional and has serious stakes the film feels the need to insert comedy that feels pretty out of place. It's not even that the comedy is bad as plenty of it connects and is far less painful that what most animated kids movie provides, but rather it really hurts the overall flow of the movie and the serious mature tone it works so hard to build.
Easily the biggest thing in Kubo and the Two Strings to be criticized is the casting, where it might not directly impact most relationships with the film it is undeniable that the film's choice of casting white actors to voice Asian characters is disappointing especially considering how recently the film released. It isn't even that the cast chosen is that memorable or good, where Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey have fine chemistry, its nothing super memorable or impressive. Art Parkinson also is really lackluster in his performance as Kubo. Where his performance is passable, there is very little there to impress or feel memorable. It's a very average performance that most of the time falls into the background especially when put into contrast with Theron and McConaughey.
Kubo and the Two Strings really impressed on first viewing but on a rewatch the film felt a bit lackluster. It still is good especially when it comes to the animation and action, but ultimately it never reaches any emotional conclusion that feels overly new or standout. Most things done well in this film has been done equally as good if not better in other animated movies. Kubo and the Two Strings still is a solid film and is worth not just a watch but recognition for the animation, but isn't quite Laika's magnum opus as some were claiming it was back in 2016.
Easily the biggest thing in Kubo and the Two Strings to be criticized is the casting, where it might not directly impact most relationships with the film it is undeniable that the film's choice of casting white actors to voice Asian characters is disappointing especially considering how recently the film released. It isn't even that the cast chosen is that memorable or good, where Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey have fine chemistry, its nothing super memorable or impressive. Art Parkinson also is really lackluster in his performance as Kubo. Where his performance is passable, there is very little there to impress or feel memorable. It's a very average performance that most of the time falls into the background especially when put into contrast with Theron and McConaughey.
Kubo and the Two Strings really impressed on first viewing but on a rewatch the film felt a bit lackluster. It still is good especially when it comes to the animation and action, but ultimately it never reaches any emotional conclusion that feels overly new or standout. Most things done well in this film has been done equally as good if not better in other animated movies. Kubo and the Two Strings still is a solid film and is worth not just a watch but recognition for the animation, but isn't quite Laika's magnum opus as some were claiming it was back in 2016.