Some of my favorite memories as a child was reading my mother’s storybooks of Japanese folklore. Stories like Issun-bōshi – a one-inch tall man who serves as a princess’ bodyguard by fighting off evil oni demons, and Momotarō – a boy born from a peach who befriends a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant while traveling across the land. There’s a universal element to these kinds of childhood stories; one that gives life to folklore and legends. They’re not entirely congruent due to centuries of being passed down by oral tradition, but all of them are moral-centric and have strongly resonating themes. The same could be said for Kubo and the Two Strings, Laika’s newest stop-motion/computer-generated film.
The film, directed by Travis Knight, stars Art Parkinson as a young boy named Kubo who has magical powers that enable him to tell incredible stories with the help of his musical instrument – a three-stringed shamisen. The boy’s stories come from tales his mother (Charlize Theron) weaves for him by the fire, about a powerful samurai named Hanzo (Matthew McConaughey) and his quest to defeat the evil Moon King (Ralph Fiennes). Sacred objects and magical creatures abound in the imagery of this tale, but to say any more would spoil the story for you.
Kubo is more than just a child’s fantasy tale though. There are enough twists and turns to keep the plot engaging, even for mature audiences. And make no mistake – this isn’t the Disney version of folklore. Danger is real in the story of Kubo, and the hero doesn’t gain victories without sacrifice. One of many clever maxims said by a certain character exemplifies this: “…when we grow stronger, the world grows more dangerous”. Kubo tackles a lot of mature concepts in the wholesome way I’d expect from a traditional folk-tale: honest, somber, but filled with powerful hope. No matter what age you are, you’ll appreciate this story.
And even if you don’t pay attention to the plot, you will pay attention to the visuals. Laika has really outdone themselves with this one. The stop-motion photography is exceptionally done, to the point that it deceived me into thinking the film was completely computer-generated. The screenplay is fantastic – there are dozens if not hundreds of shots that are worthy themselves of a poster print. Pay attention to the effects as you watch it; the visual eye candy is vibrant and captivating.
I thought Kubo was a great little reimagining of the traditional folktales I read about as a kid. It stayed true to the heart of these kinds of stories, while presenting itself in a flashy new way. The number one pitfall these kinds of movies run into is that they stretch themselves too thin – but Kubo is humble and honest with itself, just as folklore should be. As a traditional coming-of-age story, the film is great. As a stop-motion work of art, the film is exceptional. Do yourself a favor and check out Kubo and the Two Strings, you won’t be disappointed.
Watch the Focus Features trailer for Kubo and the Two Strings here.
