The Boxtrolls (2014)
September 27, 2014 7:09 PM - Subscribe
A young orphaned boy raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors tries to save his friends from an evil exterminator. Based on the children's novel Here Be Monsters by Alan Snow.
Directors: Graham Annable, Anthony Stacchi
Stars: Ben Kingsley, Jared Harris, Nick Frost, Simon Pegg, Richard Ayoade, Tracy Morgan, Elle Fanning, Toni Collette, Laraine Newman
Trailer
Directors: Graham Annable, Anthony Stacchi
Stars: Ben Kingsley, Jared Harris, Nick Frost, Simon Pegg, Richard Ayoade, Tracy Morgan, Elle Fanning, Toni Collette, Laraine Newman
Trailer
I did stop and look over the poster, it may be fun or it may be saccharine, the theme does seem like it would have been well served by hiring the Brothers Quay as consultants.
posted by sammyo at 5:14 AM on September 28, 2014
posted by sammyo at 5:14 AM on September 28, 2014
I saw this last night and loved it to bits, frankly. Definitely not saccharine. A really thoughtful exploration into important topics such as fearmongering, power-lust, class politics, patriarchy, human morality, etc. etc. Go see it. Stay for the song during the credits and the stinger. This is possibly the most progressive "kids" movie that I've ever seen.
posted by mrjohnmuller at 9:25 AM on September 28, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by mrjohnmuller at 9:25 AM on September 28, 2014 [1 favorite]
This has been out a while now this side of the Atlantic. Went to see it a couple of weeks ago and loved it. One of the best films of the year I'd say.
Yes, you know where the storyline is going, but it isn't bout spoilers and plotlines, it is about enjoying the journey of getting from here to there.
Loved the character design and the whole look of the film. And I'd agree with mrjohnmuller, stay for the credits. Well worth it.
posted by Fence at 10:26 AM on September 28, 2014 [1 favorite]
Yes, you know where the storyline is going, but it isn't bout spoilers and plotlines, it is about enjoying the journey of getting from here to there.
Loved the character design and the whole look of the film. And I'd agree with mrjohnmuller, stay for the credits. Well worth it.
posted by Fence at 10:26 AM on September 28, 2014 [1 favorite]
I was really impressed with the voice acting and the perfect animation. The world was so richly done, and sometimes so disgusting (on purpose) that I had to shut my eyes. I was reminded of Fungus the Bogeyman, a story that would have fit perfectly for Laika's creative team here, if anyone wanted to make a good movie of it, which sadly it seems they don't.
(Note to parents: the movie is way intense for the little ones. There was a lot of wailing in the theater at the huge terrifying machine constructed for the boss battle.)
Still, I prefer Paranorman and Coraline. I thought the social messages here were heavy-handed, and there were too many plot holes. I'm also puzzling over whether I should support an impassioned and much-reblogged opinion that the movie is transmisogynist, since the villain accomplished his plot in part by dressing as a woman. I disagree, but since I'm not trans, I also know that my opinion doesn't carry so much weight here, and I think it's worth considering.
posted by Countess Elena at 11:22 AM on September 28, 2014 [1 favorite]
(Note to parents: the movie is way intense for the little ones. There was a lot of wailing in the theater at the huge terrifying machine constructed for the boss battle.)
Still, I prefer Paranorman and Coraline. I thought the social messages here were heavy-handed, and there were too many plot holes. I'm also puzzling over whether I should support an impassioned and much-reblogged opinion that the movie is transmisogynist, since the villain accomplished his plot in part by dressing as a woman. I disagree, but since I'm not trans, I also know that my opinion doesn't carry so much weight here, and I think it's worth considering.
posted by Countess Elena at 11:22 AM on September 28, 2014 [1 favorite]
Have not seen this but it just seems like films like this would be better served using real voice actors, all these folks are talented but not a one is a Mel Blanc or Nancy Cartwright.
Had you seen this, you might not have made that comment. In particular, Ben Kingsley's voice work is nonpareil. He adds to his character an especially telling touch, and it's entirely done vocally. His character is lower class, but a striver. Like many lower-class characters, he drops his h's, but because he's putting on airs, he puts them back in again. However, he doesn't know exactly where they go, so he just sort of sticks them in front of vowel sounds that might have an h in front of it.
It tells you a lot about his character -- that he wants to better himself, but is bound to fail, and that failure will be both ridiculous and grotesque.
posted by maxsparber at 7:26 PM on September 28, 2014 [2 favorites]
Had you seen this, you might not have made that comment. In particular, Ben Kingsley's voice work is nonpareil. He adds to his character an especially telling touch, and it's entirely done vocally. His character is lower class, but a striver. Like many lower-class characters, he drops his h's, but because he's putting on airs, he puts them back in again. However, he doesn't know exactly where they go, so he just sort of sticks them in front of vowel sounds that might have an h in front of it.
It tells you a lot about his character -- that he wants to better himself, but is bound to fail, and that failure will be both ridiculous and grotesque.
posted by maxsparber at 7:26 PM on September 28, 2014 [2 favorites]
I have to say I'm warming to 3-D movies. I don't know whether people are getting better at it or I'm just "catching on" late. Boxtrolls used the added dimension very well. 3-D was used effectively to add to the comedy, to the pathos, and to moments of tension all of which were in abundance in this funny, moving film.
posted by cleroy at 9:15 PM on September 28, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by cleroy at 9:15 PM on September 28, 2014 [1 favorite]
I have been eagerly awaiting this for months. We just left a screening, and I can already tell I'll be wanting to go again.
I loved how unafraid it was of being gross, and how fully the place was realized.
posted by ocherdraco at 9:20 PM on September 28, 2014 [1 favorite]
I loved how unafraid it was of being gross, and how fully the place was realized.
posted by ocherdraco at 9:20 PM on September 28, 2014 [1 favorite]
Also, the Doctor Who joke was great!
posted by ocherdraco at 10:38 PM on September 28, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by ocherdraco at 10:38 PM on September 28, 2014 [1 favorite]
I take my daughter to every kid movie that comes out, since it's only about one per month at most. The good ones I enjoy the heck out of, the bad ones, I end up falling asleep (looking at you Planes, which enabled a nearly full 90min nap).
My daughter and her friend thought it was just ok, and unfortunately I slept through the middle 30 minutes of it. It was just so-so for me, it had a lovely character design and aesthetic, but the writing and humor were kind of predictable.
posted by mathowie at 9:57 AM on September 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
My daughter and her friend thought it was just ok, and unfortunately I slept through the middle 30 minutes of it. It was just so-so for me, it had a lovely character design and aesthetic, but the writing and humor were kind of predictable.
posted by mathowie at 9:57 AM on September 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
The advance screening I went to was criminally under-attended, I think because most people didn't know what it was--a few clearly did, and had brought their kids, but I think a lot of people were there just because "Hey, free screening." My partner (whose workplace offered the screening) knew so little about it he wasn't even going to mention it to me until I asked, "Hey, any chance y'all are going to get a Boxtrolls screening and if so can I pretty pretty please be your plus-one?" So I hope the reviews help promote it better than it has been, because OHMYGOSH it was absolutely delightful and magical and fun and I loved it so very much and I can't wait to see it again.
Everything Laika touches is pure magic, and Boxtrolls reminded me so much of early Muppet stuff, in terms of being astonishingly well-crafted and well-performed, fun for everyone, and incredibly, delightfully subversive.
posted by rhiannonstone at 11:40 AM on September 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
Everything Laika touches is pure magic, and Boxtrolls reminded me so much of early Muppet stuff, in terms of being astonishingly well-crafted and well-performed, fun for everyone, and incredibly, delightfully subversive.
posted by rhiannonstone at 11:40 AM on September 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
What a lovely film. It followed the usual Laika flow for movies for me, where the early part is more for the kids as adult themes are laid out. Then the finale brings both "sides" to fruition and I'm satisfied with the way the adult and child sides interweave.
Loved the way the world was perpetually off kilter with no straight lines or perfectly formed shapes. Also the way it gleefully reveled in being gross was delightfully disturbing. That final musings of the two henchman was beautifully perfect.
Ok Laika, what's next?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:17 PM on September 29, 2014
Loved the way the world was perpetually off kilter with no straight lines or perfectly formed shapes. Also the way it gleefully reveled in being gross was delightfully disturbing. That final musings of the two henchman was beautifully perfect.
Ok Laika, what's next?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:17 PM on September 29, 2014
Nice work, I second the motion of staying through the credits.
posted by boilermonster at 10:30 PM on October 1, 2014
posted by boilermonster at 10:30 PM on October 1, 2014
I really liked it, but also had a weird moment in which I realized that it was basically The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents with some bits changed.
posted by nonasuch at 5:05 PM on October 3, 2014
posted by nonasuch at 5:05 PM on October 3, 2014
I was really, really impressed with the production design and creativity. It felt like the filmmakers went above and beyond, and their love of the material showed through.
Ben Kingsley was amazing as well.
I haven't actually seen the other Laika movies, but now I have to.
posted by starman at 5:56 AM on January 11, 2015
Ben Kingsley was amazing as well.
I haven't actually seen the other Laika movies, but now I have to.
posted by starman at 5:56 AM on January 11, 2015
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posted by sammyo at 5:07 AM on September 28, 2014