Let’s face it, a lot of this is going to go over a lot of
childrens’ heads, but it still respects the younger audiences sensibility to
touch on spirituality. Even though the young folk I watched it with probably
didn’t understand it any further than there was a talking monkey in it. Which
is pretty badass. Also, the title is going to REALLY turn people off. But
whatever, it’s appropriate, and I’m glad they stuck with it.
Kubo is…not what you expect. It’s not a singing, dancing
musical. It’s not Disney. The best I can explain is listening to a fable. I
recall hearing stories like this as a kid. Morality spiritual tales that had
mysticism involved. Not about ghosts, but about respect for your ancestors. It
also involves a tragic love story. A Romeo and Juliet of sorts. And a chase to
find items. So you get a journey story as well. Though it sometimes gets messy,
in terms of story points, it excels in…touching that Disney magic without
pandering to that awful toy market. Released by Focus Films (an independent
company) and directed by Travis Knight (“Coraline”) this movie is pretty dark
for children.
The story is about a woman on the run with a baby. They get
close enough to an island, only to be washed ashore by a massive wave. The
mother is rendered an invalid during the day. But has her senses given back to
her during the night. Why? We find out later (as you will too). The child is
missing an eye. A gruesome dark story will emerge for that as well.
Flash forward a few years, and we now see Kubo as a
pre-teen. He gets around in life by playing his magical guitar while papers
fold into origami. Of sorts. They entertain the townsfolk which are located
outside of where Kubo disappears into the mountains. All the townsfolk know of
him, is that he doesn’t stay the night. Awful things occur at night, as warned
to him by his mother.
The adventure takes off after a battle between some evil
sisters that want Kubo for a reason, and he is whisked off to what appears to
be…a far off ice land. The charm his mother has given him, that of a monkey,
has come to life. And is dedicated to protecting him (as charms do). This is
voiced wonderfully by Charlize Theron. A warm, yet humorless monkey. Along the
way a magical dream brings an origami samurai to life that leads them to a cave
where a former samurai warrior now magically turned into a beetle dwells. This
forgetful insect/man is voice by Matthew McConaughy who is doing a fantastic
George Clooney impression. Sardonic and funny, he is mindless but still retains
a gallows humor about their adventure. Though sworn to help Kubo’s father, he
now swears allegiance to help Kubo find the father.
SO the odd pairings travel to far off lands. In search of
samurai breastplates and weaponry. In truth, a reason for them to bond and work
together.
There are secrets that are left unsaid here, but it’s better
I don’t give those away.
This movie is heartwarming, though a tiny bit dense, if you
just want kids to watch moving colors. It requires a little bit of…focus to get
some of the good stuff. Unfortunately, there are logic flaws that ALMOST derail
the movie. To me, the good outweigh the bad…by a LOT. It flows really nicely
that you hardly have time to think about it too hard. Its heart is in the right
place and it means well, and it’s not boring. You can’t ask any more than that.
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