The Boxtrolls (2014)
Saturday, September 13, 2014
The Boxtrolls (2014) Poster
Dare to be square
Comments on The Boxtrolls (2014)
"It is joyously witty and profoundly weird. I recommend it heartily. But think twice before taking young children." - Brian Viner, Daily Mail UK.
"What Laika is able to accomplish on a technical level is to be admired as much as their social concerns, but The Boxtrolls just doesn't resonate in quite the way we're used to from them." - Travis Hopson, Examiner.com.
"There's plenty of Tim Burton-like wit and humour behind the Boxtrolls concept. The film boasts some lively voice work, too. Its problem is a script that is as flat as cardboard. It takes quite a while to work out what is happening or why." - Geoffrey Macnab, Independent.
"A surprisingly charmless and aimless movie from Laika Studios, who previously crafted the wonderfully dark Coraline and Paranorman, this latest venture seems destined to disturb young viewers while thoroughly boring their parents." - Alonso Duralde. TheWrap.
"Although this is brought to us by the makers of Coraline and ParaNorman, the earlier films' knowing, child-aware sense of menace is nowhere to be seen." David Edwards, Daily Mirror UK.
"This cheese-obsessed and boxtroll-fearing movie is not that simple and parental guidance is necessary. There are several things to ponder about and in the end, this film is able to give the us the viewers some food for thought on how societies should actually work!" - Rosalyn Lim.
Genre/Tags
Adventure Comedy Family Fantasy Stop Motion Animated FeatureThe Boxtrolls (2014) Trailer
The Boxtrolls (2014) at a glance
The Boxtrolls (2014) is a stop motion movie directed by Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi. Produced by Laika Entertainment, it is based on the novel entitled Here Be Monsters! by Alan Snow.
The Boxtrolls (2014) Synopsis
The Boxtrolls (2014) Synopsis
The Boxtrolls is a comedic fable that unfolds in Cheesebridge, a posh Victorian-era town obsessed with wealth, class and the stinkiest of fine cheeses. Beneath its charming cobblestone streets dwell the Boxtrolls, foul monsters who crawl out of the sewers at night and steal what the townspeople hold most dear: their children and their cheeses. At least that’s the legend residents have always believed. In truth, the Boxtrolls are an underground cavern-dwelling community of quirky and lovable oddballs who wear recycled cardboard boxes the way turtles wear their shells. The Boxtrolls have raised an orphaned human boy since infancy as one of their dumpster-diving and mechanical junk-collecting own. When the Boxtrolls are targeted by a villainous pest exterminator who is bent on eradicating them as his ticket to Cheesebridge society, the kind-hearted band of tinkerers must turn to their adopted charge and an adventurous rich girl to bridge two worlds amidst the winds of change – and cheese.
Important Update (Of This Article)
1. I know some of you (on MP Animation FB page) disliked the fact that I did not justify clearly why parental guidance is needed but I am not sure how to elaborate it without spoiling it. Especially I do not want to appear to be bashing, I love all of Laika films.
2. This movie review is not fake. I've seen the movie, it's released much earlier outside the US. And, I am not related to Laika at all. It'd be an honor if I am related to them in any way.
3. I am not a parent (young and unmarried) if you're wondering. But it's really rated PG and when I watched this myself, I am a little confused as well. Maybe you should watch this yourself and see if the board rated the film correctly?
4. I've decided not to spoil anything especially not until its worldwide release but if you really must know, I thought some of the scenes are quite horrifying.
5. My movie reviews are quite brief because I do this at leisure and the main content of my articles actually is the Movie Quotes which average about 100 quotes and I have not include in MP yet. Will make them available in the future.
6. Most of all, I didn't say people can't bring kids to watch this. It's all up to the parents and Parental Guidance according to British Board of Film Classification means a film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. I suggested PG is needed NOT parents should ban this movie ._.
7. Dear MP, thank you for all the hard work <3
The Boxtrolls (2014) Review
Lord Portley-Rind, Winnie and the towns people.
The Boxtrolls (2014) is creative and baroque-styled. However, this cheese-obsessed and boxtroll-fearing movie is not that simple and parental guidance is necessary. I am not sure if this film is truly aimed for children but parents might not be happy when they watch this with their young children.
Winnie and Eggs.
I thought some of the hilarious scenes may not be appropriate and some are quite horrifying. The intensity just increase as the movie progresses. For me, I won't get nightmares or anything like that, but not sure if it'll be the same for young children! (Btw, who would want their children throw a bucket of leeches at people's faces like throwing snowballs? And that's just one, sorry for spoiling that lol)
The Boxtrolls.
True that there are some funny moments but that's not enough to make up with the flaws in this movie. So, I am sorry to say this, I know there's several themes in this film such as we shouldn't live hiding and the effects of selfishness; skillful claymation but the screenplay...maybe not really intended for children? (But the film as a whole looks like intended for children as well.) I am quite confused myself when I watch this but people in the general shouldn't miss this one if they really want to watch a great stop motion film as The Boxtrolls (2014) is beautiful and it does have considerable amount of moral values and life lessons.
Baby Eggs.
Okay, enough with minor viewers issue, The Boxtrolls (2014) is actually pretty interesting. It is amazing that everything are made from scratch and the monsters they say in this film are actually creatures with a knack at invention. There are several things to ponder about and in the end, this film is able to give the us the viewers some food for thought on how societies should actually work!
PS. Sorry, no spoilers. But if you have questions about the movie, ask away!
Movie Ratings
Will write a page regarding this and add this to all animated feature entries in the future.
People who enjoy fantasy may like this but as for minor viewers, parental guidance is necessary.
Details of the movie
Director: Graham Annable, Anthony Stacchi
Producer: Travis Knight, David Bleiman Ichioka
Story: Alan Snow
Screenplay: Irena Brignull, Adam Pava
Cinematography: Not sure.
Music: Dario Marianelli
Studio: Laika Entertainment
Starring: Isaac Hempstead-Wright, Elle Fanning, Ben Kingsley, Toni Collette, Jared Harris, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Richard Ayoade, Tracy Morgan
Full Credit: [IMDb]
Distributor: Focus Features
Country: United States
Language: English
Genre: Adventure Comedy Family Fantasy
Running time: 97 mins
Budget: Not sure.
Box office: Not available as of writing.
Official website(s)
http://www.laika.com/
http://www.theboxtrolls.com/
Related
Laika Entertainment
Rosalyn's Animated Movie Marathon
The Boxtrolls (2014) Behind the Scenes
Favorite Movie Character
The Boxtrolls (2014) Movie Quotes
Can't properly list this yet; I wanna scan the whole script; Can't find a copy of it any where yet. ;o
- White hat!
- I was promised at least a mountain of bones!
- I am pleased to meet you, even if I am not sincere about it!
- You build this thing, you can take it apart!
- I am nothing like you, you are the monster!