Film Review: Hugo

About Hugo (2011) Legendary storyteller Martin Scorsese invites you to join him on a thrilling journey to a magical world based on Brian Selznick’s award-winning, imaginative New York Times best-seller, The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

Hugo is the astonishing adventure of a wily and resourceful orphan boy whose quest to unlock a secret left to him by his father will transform Hugo and all those around him.

Starring: Asa Butterfield, Chloe Grace Moretz, Christopher Lee, Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Runtime: 126 minutes

Studio: Paramount Studios

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Review: Hugo

Martin Scorsese’s 2011 adventure dazzled the Academy Awards, garnering 11 nominations and winning for such aspects as its visual effects and cinematography. Set in 1931 the film tells the story of Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield) who lives in the walls of a Paris train station and repairs the clocks whenever they develop a fault. This prevents the need for anyone to venture into Hugo’s home and investigate. His late father (Jude Law) worked in a museum and instilled in Hugo a passion of mechanics, especially with clocks. Prior to his death, Hugo’s father had been working on a robot known as an automaton which Hugo now painstakingly tries to make work while pilfering food wherever he can and evading the station guard (Sacha Baron Cohen) who is hampered by a metal leg, having lost a limb in the war, but shows no mercy to orphans who are packed off to the nearest oprhanage.

Hugo’s life changes when he is caught stealing mechanical parts from Papa Georges (Ben Kingsley), a toy maker who has a shop at the station. Georges takes Hugo’s notebook that his father had filled with diagrams and instructions Hugo is trying to decipher to make the automaton work. Eager to get the book back, Hugo enlists the help of Isabelle (Chloe Grace Moretz) who is Georges’ goddaughter. Hugo ends up working for Georges to earn back his notebook but as he continue to work on the automaton, a mystery unfolds and he begins the search for a heart-shaped key that may ultimately bring life to the automaton.

Hugo is a pleasant family from start to finish with a fascinating mystery for Hugo to solve. The legacy of his father ultimately leads him to uncovering some secrets about the bitter Georges. The film boasts an impressive cast with Jude Law, Ben Kingsley, Ray Winstone, Christopher Lee, Sacha Baron Cohen, Emily Mortimer and the late Richard Griffiths all to be found at the train station. I didn’t realize train stations could be so cool. Only in Paris, I imagine. Ultimately the film has a feel good ending as the orphaned Hugo forms a close friendship with Isabelle and by the end you will find it’s been a rewarding journey. I’m not sure the film was worth its 11 Oscar nominations to be honest but it’s still a pleasant experience.

While not Scorsese’s masterpiece, Hugo has a lot of good qualities and should be enjoyed by all the family. Quirky characters, a good cast and some fabulous settings make this one stand out. Showered with praise at the Academy Awards, I don’t agree with all of the accolades but this is still a fun experience for all ages and it’s not often you can say that about a lot of films.

Verdict: 4/5

(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)

About the Author:

I was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England and have always been a bookworm and enjoyed creative writing at school. In 1999 I created the Elencheran Chronicles and have been writing ever since. My first novel, Fezariu's Epiphany, was published in May 2011. When not writing I'm a lover of films, games, books and blogging. I now live in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, with my wife, Donna, and our six cats - Kain, Razz, Buggles, Charlie, Bilbo and Frodo.

David M. Brown – who has written 798 posts on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave.

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