Movie Review: “Kubo and the Two Strings” (2016)

“Kubo and the Two Strings” is one of the rare animated gems to use stop-motion animation and miniature sets in combination with green screens. The result is a film that is both more life-like than the typical animated movie and one that is visually striking.

The film follows the journey of the young Kubo (voiced by the talented Art Parkinson of “Game of Thrones”), a young and innocent boy suddenly in way over his head as he embarks on a quest that pits him against the powers of evil. At first Kubo is naïve, believing in the good of people and underestimating the world’s capacity for evil. He quickly must grow up as he is forced to go on a quest. Kubo learns of the evil ways of his grandfather, an immortal of tremendous magical abilities who hunts Kubo as he traverses an arctic landscape in search of a magical set of armor.

Along the way Kubo is accompanied by a monkey and a cursed warrior who inhabits a body strangely shaped like a beetle’s. This journey is a fun one that crosses a world full of adventures. The monkey and the warrior accompanying Kubo on his journey are voiced by Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey.

Overall: The visual style of this stop-motion film is unlike anything I’ve seen recently, and the voice acting is quite good. After beating out “Moana” and “Zootopia” for a BAFTA, this film will definitely be in the running for an Academy Award this year.

Rotten Tomatoes: 95% (Top Critics)

Top billed actors: Art Parkinson, Charlize Theron, Ralph Fiennes, Rooney Mara and Matthew McConaughey

PG (for thematic elements, scary images, action and peril)