By Scott Jeffrey
CG graphics have come a long way in feature length animated films since the first Toy Story. We can really see how far we have come with technology in regards to CG when watching Steven Spielberg's, The Adventures of Tin Tin.
The visuals in this film are absolutely staggering. Sometimes when looking at a scene and seeing how perfectly characters vocals are in sync with natural facial movements and how well the textures are done, while still keeping the iconic look of the original Tin Tin art style intact. This direct comparison between the art of the past and present is shown in the first 5 minutes of the film, where the scene opens with Tin Tin getting a caricature sketch done at a local market. The artist then compares the older cartoon Tin Tin with the newly rendered digital Tin Tin of 2012. How far we have come indeed.
The plot begins with Tin Tin (Jamie Bell), a famous reporter, purchasing a model ship at the very same market. From there he is thrust into a whirlwind adventure, where many buyers including a mysterious Mr. Sakharine (Daniel Craig) set out to purchase or steal the model of the ship known as “The Unicorn” out from under the intrepid investigator. This leads Sakharine to the point of kidnapping Tin Tin and taking him on board his tanker steaming towards Morocco to solve the mystery of The Unicorn, a wreck said to house great riches.
Tin Tin escapes from the cargo hold with the help of his dog snowy. Crawling up decks he manages to meet the drunken Captain Haddock (Andy Serkins). Haddock is the owner of the boat and his crew was bribed into mutiny by Sakharine.
Turns out Haddock is the heir of the captain of The Unicorn and knows the true story of why the ship was scuttled. Tin Tin and Haddock race against Sakharine to capture all the pieces of the puzzle before it is too late. The treasure of The Unicorn cannot fall into the wrong hands. Bumbling Interpol agents, The Thomson Twins (Simon Pegg, Nick Frost) lend a hand when they can.
The story is pretty good. I wouldn’t recommend Tin Tin For young kids. Haddock is a functioning alcoholic and seems to treat it like Popeye treats spinach. The action doesn’t really let up either. There is also a fair amount of gunfire and violence. It does make it very interesting for mom and dad to see an actual plot and action in an animated film, but don’t be fooled by the exterior. I wouldn’t show this to an 8 year old.
Nick Frost and Simon Pegg are excellent as Thomson and Thomson. Watching them bumble around the case brought me right back to the Tin Tin animated series on television. They are frustratingly stupid and its very comical.
I can`t decide if Craig plays a good villain or if his spooky foreign accent makes me cower or giggle. You can tell it is Daniel Craig Voicing Sakharine, but just barely.
The visuals are amazing, and the action scenes would be spectacular on blu ray with a surround sound system. There are plenty of action scenes to speak of this film does not have many dull moments to speak of.
The score was excellent as well. But it was John Williams so what do you expect. I am glad they kept it classical and didn’t try and bring in any popular hit music, it would have really cheapened the film.
Score: 8/10
Acting: 7/10
Effects/Visual: 9/10
Writing: 8/10
Directing: 7/10
Overall: 39/50
Take Away thought: I would recommend seeing this film. It has some memorable action scenes and if you are a fan of the Tin Tin show or comic book you really need to see it just to relive the adventure.
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