Review // Kubo and the Two Strings

[projekktor id=’25096′]

Kubo and the Two Strings is the newest stop motion animation from Laika, and it continues to bolster the animation house’s stellar record of wonderfully handcrafted story telling. Director Travis Knight pairs beautiful visuals with an enchanting tale of a young boy on a quest to save his family. The star studded cast shines without overshadowing the tale of Kubo, a one eyed boy who brings origami to life with his shamisen.

At first his life seems pitiful. Kubo wakes and makes breakfast for himself and feeds hims semi-comatose mother before he rushes into to town to make a couple of coins weaving magical tales of the legendary samurai, Honso. As the night bells chime, Kubo quickly rushes home where his mother slowly arouses from her dazed state. In regaining her life-force, Kubo’s mother tells him tales of his father, who just happens to be Kubo’s hero, Honso. Through his mother’s stories we learn that Kubo has an enchanted life, but must live out of the sight of his menacing maternal grandfather, the Moon King. Despite promising never to wander out at night when the Moon King can see him Kubo finds himself out in the darkness when he stays out too late during the local lantern festival. With the last of her magic, Kubo’s mother, a fallen star, sends him off on an adventure to find his father’s enchanted armour which can protect him from the Moon King’s magic.

On his journey Kubo is aided by an enchanted charm, Mr. Monkey (Charlize Theron), a wooden token from his mother that was brought to life to protect him, and Beetle, a samurai from his father’s clan who was cursed and turned into a beetle and stripped of his memory. The trio face off against Kubo’s aunts, powerful witches determined to steal Kubo’s remaining eye for their father, the Moon King. As he discovers the reason for his grandfather’s onslaught, Kubo also learns about his family history and the stories that his mother kept from him. Learning about his past forces Kubo to make a choice, to stay on the earth as his parents had wanted for him or ascend to the skies with his grandfather.

The narrative weaves a wonderful story of strength, family, and friendship. But the real enchantment of the film is in the animation. From the choppy seas that open the film to incredible detail of the origami creatures that fold at the will of Kubo’s magical shamisen this film is a visual master piece. While the story is engrossing, it’s the meticulous detail of the animation that really elevates the film for all ages.

Reviewed by Vithiya Murugadas.