"Hugo" Review

Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Written by: John Logan
Starring: Asa Butterfield, Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Chloe Grace Moretz, and Ray Winstone
Music by: Howard Shore
Edited by: Thelma Schoonmaker

 With the recent onslaught of 3D “films” exploding all over your local theater, it’s hard to keep track of all the recycled techniques and visual garbage that’s unfortunately a common feature of today’s film marketplace. Year after year, one would expect a backlash from the movie going public; and if not them, from filmmakers themselves. Someone like…oh, I don’t know: maybe the greatest living director Martin Scorsese? Surely he will see the format as the venomous presence it truly is…

Much to might delight, Scorsese’s latest film, Hugo, is a smart, fun, and inspiring children’s film that uses 3D in a way only an adept master like Scorsese could achieve. With many calling the technology formulaic and uninspired, the legendary director breathes new life not only into the 3 dimensional visuals, but brings new texture to the usually mentally restricting fare that is the children’s/family movie demographic. I saw The Muppets literally the day before; although a decent, if not predictable, property that’s been around since my mother was a child, it lacked the seminal touch of Hugo and paled greatly in comparison upon reflection.

The film follows an orphan, Hugo, who operates the clocks in a Paris train station. On his quest to repair a seemingly ancient, yet startlingly futuristic piece of robotic machinery, he meets a girl, Isabelle, who helps him unravel a mystery that takes us to the beginnings of cinema itself. Although the “twist” isn’t particularly surprising, it’s much fresher than anything you’re used to seeing in a film of this genre. Anyone who’s moderately interested in film history will be astounded by the reverence and appreciation that Scorsese injects into the movie as it whisks us away to a time were the practice of motion pictures was a form of magic that had the power of universal enchantment.

The cast is very good, with Sir. Ben Kingseley being the star of the show as Papa George, Isabelle’s uncle who works in the train station as a toy shop owner. Asa Butterfield does a terrific job as the titular character, Hugo, simultaneously evoking shock, curiosity, fear, and persistence. Chloe Grace Moretz, an ever increasing familiar face of the last few years, portrays the perfect amount of innocence as Isabelle. One of the most surprising members of the cast is Sacha Baren Cohen who as Inspector Gustav, constantly finds excuses to harass all the orphans of Paris, particularly Hugo. His role isn’t too showy but strikes the ideal balance of humor and dread.

The 3D visuals are matchless (trust me, if you see this movie in theaters, only see it in 3D). The depth that the film delivers breathes new life not only into 3D, but into any form of cinema. The cinematography demands an Oscar nomination, if not a victory, for the beautiful era of Paris that it articulates on screen. The ever-turning clocks of the train station are a true work of visual excellence that make one want to see more 3D with this much detail and purpose. Believe me, I was among the staunchest critics of 3D before this film, but as a cautious new convert, I deeply desire for the format to continue, only if the amount of care is applied to the visuals that complement the story in a spectacular way as Hugo does.

Maybe it’s a little late to admit that Martin Scorsese is my definitive favorite director of all time (must have slipped my mind). His earlier works easily rank among my favorite films and continually serve as both a tool of instruction and inspiration for me in a way that can never be matched. They got me deeply interested in film as an art for, as well as serving a source of personal gratification and growth. Hugo will certainly serve this same purpose for a generation of children looking to find a reflection of themselves projected onto the silver screen. 

Grade: A 
by Kyle Huffman