HUGO

With Ben Kingsley, Asa Butterfield, Sacha Baron Cohen, Chloë Grace Moretz, Ray Winstone, Emily Mortimer, Jude Law, Christopher Lee

Written by John Logan (based on the book by Brian Selznick)
Directed by Martin Scorsese

Living legend film director Martin Scorsese has given us such gritty movies like Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, The Last Temptation Of Christ, and The Departed. Here he takes a virtual 180° spin with a more family friendly affair, additionally also embarking on a 3D journey for the first time. And he handles both like the brilliant cinematic genius he is.

The young Butterfield plays the title character who is orphaned, becoming the hidden clock keeper of the busy Paris train station where circumstances forces him to live (in hiding from the nasty orphan busting station master). Before his father's death, the two of them were restoring an automaton found discarded in a museum. This mechanical figure works with a mechanical clockwork system and unlocks a fantastic adventure with his new friend (Moretz), rediscovering former wonder and historic groundbreaking creativity through cinema via the work of French pioneering filmmaker Georges Méliès. No doubt this cinematic theme played a big part in Scorsese's involvement, as he is a renowned custodian of cinema preservation.

The combination of wonderful cinematography and creative use of the 3D possibilities, fantastic production design and great performances justify the 11 Academy Award nominations for 2012 (incl. Best Picture and Best Director).

6 / B
- Paul Blom

0 1 2 3 4 5 6
- A - B - C

A: Multiple Viewing Potential
B: Deserves Another Look
C: Once Should Suffice