Review: Scorsese Invents Movie Magic with HUGO

   There is little doubt when it comes to cinematic excellence, Martin Scorsese is at the top of a list of directors who can create incredible, memorable experiences. Hugo is not only another example of his ability to do so, but is perhaps also an example as to why he has such an ability.

   Hugo is based on the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. The titular Hugo Cabret is an orphan who lives in a 1930's Paris train station maintaining the clocks. He has an automaton, a mechanized human whose function is to write, that is in need of repair. He needs a key to activate it and hopefully find a message from his deceased father which will really get the adventure going.

   And yet it doesn't. As far as films go, there is no "grand adventure". There is no epic battle against an evil force, there is no magic or ancient artifact that must be rescued. There is simply a device that gets fixed, a simple fact learned, and a conflict that needs to be resolved. That is what makes this film so great. It is very straight forward and does not attempt to add any extra bells or whistles. Sure, the advertisements make it seem more fantastic to draw in that family crowd, but this is a very slow paced, but very sure of itself film that does one thing and it does it well: show an appreciation for cinema.

   The best way to describe Hugo is as a love letter to early cinema. George Melies plays an extremely important role as essentially the father of narrative film and special effects. Without him, we would not have the films we have today. The reverence his craft is treated with shows how much Scorsese respects him and appreciates all he did for the art he holds so dear. Just as we present day film afficenados hold Mr. Scorsese in high regard, did he hold Mr. Melies for all of his work. In real life, and in Hugo as well, he felt unappreciated and forgotten to film goers, but as Hugo proves, that is certainly not the case. The best part about this film is that now a new generation who knew nothing about Melies or even A Trip to the Moon (one of the first films I watched when I became a Media Studies student) now have a much better idea as to what preceeded what they see today.

   The performances in this film are top notch. Ben Kingsley as George Melies is exceptional, showing great emotional range and depth, starting off very antagonistic towards Hugo, then becoming much more sympathetic and grandfatherly as the plot progresses. Another acting heavyweight in the film is Christopher Lee who has a very small role as Monsieur Labisse, a bookstore owner who helps guide our young heroes. While he does not do much, there is a warmth about him that radiates and you cannot help but appreciate his character. Sacha Baron Cohen, best known for his roles in films such as Borat and Bruno, plays Inspector Gustav. He's on the prowl for orphans and makes a fantastic villain, but remains sympathetic enough that you wish him happiness by the end of the film. Usually very funny and always a joy to watch, Cohen does a great job and makes me hopeful he will play similar parts again in the near future. As for the children, Asa Butterfield and Chloe Grace Moretz have proved their acting chops in the past with The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and Let Me In respectively. Hugo is no different as both are extremely likable and fun to watch work together. There is definitely feelings between the two as one would expect, but its refreshing to see a film NOT make them get together by the end of the film, instead just leaving such romantic endeavors a thought for something to occur after the film ends in the audience's imagination.

   One of the more interesting proponents of Hugo is the fact that it is a 3D family film by Martin Scorsese of all people. I have been very adamant that 3D is just a fad, but I can say without a shadow of a doubt that if all 3D films were done as Hugo's 3D was done, that would not be the case. It is absolutely mesmerizing and completely immersive. I spent most of the film with my jaw dropped in amazement at simply how beautiful the film looked (the opposite of how I reacted to the extremely overrated Avatar).  Scorsese has said that he is very excited for 3D and sees it as the future of film, and it is hard to argue when films such as Hugo are the result. I would highly recommend paying the extra amount to see it with its added sense of depth.

   Directors always want to create just one career defining film in their lifetimes. If a director can create one film that will be remembered by all for being so incredibly well crafted, their career can be considered a success. Martin Scorsese has not only done that, but he has done it once a decade with Taxi Driver in the 70's, Raging Bull in the 80's, Goodfellas in the 90's, The Departed in the 00's, and now, in the 2010's, he has created Hugo. The best part? With films like The Irishman on the way (think The Expendables of gangster films) and a Frank Sinatra biopic, Hugo might just be the start for this decade. And that, is a very magical thing.

Directed by: Martin Scorsese Written by: John Logan Starring: Ben Kingsley Sacha Baron Coen Asa Butterfield Chloe Grace Moretz Emily Mortimer Studio: GK Films Distributor: Paramount Pictures Running Time: 126 Minutes Rated PG

Amazing! (+) Veteran actors show their skills and new actors prove their worth (+) Baron Coen steps away from his R-Rated comedy for something more endearing (+) Beautiful visuals that show 3D can work when done right (+) Wonderful score that adds to what is seen (+) A true cinephile's dream: a movie by Martin Scorsese about movies (+) Scorsese's best film since The Departed (-) Well paced, but slow. Younger viewers will have trouble staying still. (?) At almost 70, how is Scorsese still making movies that are THIS good?