Asa ButterfieldHugo [2011] [DVD] [2017]

This superb movie, set in 1931, has it all - interesting characters (some of whom actually existed), unusual locations, great music and world class acting. The cast includes many big names and the director is the legendary Martin Scorsese. The special effects, both visual and aural, are exceptional with 3-D that is realistic without being overdone. Asa Butterfield plays the neglected and unwanted orphan Hugo Cabret with remarkable sensitivity and composure, a faultless performance worthy of an Oscar in my opinion. Hugo lives secretly in the Gare Montparnasse (a railway station in Paris), where he looks after the clocks. His biggest problem is the prowling station inspector, a cruel and obsessive man who likes nothing better than to catch homeless orphans, trap them in a cage and then hand them over to the local orphanage, which by all accounts is not a good place to be. But he is also clumsy and inept and he provides the film with much humour. The inimitable Sacha Baron Cohen does the honours here and he is on top form! Hugo's unhappy existence begins to change when he befriends Isabelle(Chloe Grace Moretz), a precocious but caring girl whose Godfather is an old man who owns a kiosk in the station and whose hidden but interesting past is destined to be rediscovered.(He is played by Ben Kingsley, one of our finest character actors).Jude Law appears briefly as Hugo's father in a flashback scene and Christopher Lee,looking as menacing as ever, is actually an amiable librarian and one of the few people to show Hugo any respect or kindness. I don't want to reveal too much about the plot, but there is a happy ending, unlike one of Asa's previous films,"The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas",whose closing scenes are the most heartbreaking and disturbing I have ever seen. "Hugo" is a hugely enjoyable and often surprising movie with a complex storyline that gradually draws you in. Brilliant and refreshingly different!

It presents such a wonderful story with great drama, excitement and also human kindness. The actors are well chosen and the two youngsters give great performances. The locations and sets are exceptiomal as are the clockwork machinery and the automaton human form. Now a classic of course and thoroughly enjoyable!

I love this film, it's a beautifully made, uplifting period piece that celebrates the magic of cinema and one of it's earliest pioneers.An intelligent and beautifully constructed plot weaves fact and fiction into a hugely enjoyable historical entertainment. Based on the illustrated novel “The Invention Of Hugo Cabret” by Brian Selznick it brings the characters and Paris settings to life and highlights the work of Georges Méliès who appears as a character, played by Ben Kingsley. The cast is uniformly excellent, the photography and special effects colourful and well-realised, making this a very pleasurable family film.Although this was made with 3D in mind it works very well in conventional screening – though it benefits from viewing on the largest screen you can find.The DVD release presents a sharp, well-mastered transfer in 16x9 ratio; there are English SDH subtitles.There's a decent selection of extras including a “making of”, a short piece on Méliès, a look at the effects, a piece on the automaton featured in the movie and a short consideration of Sacha Baron Cohen's role in the film.Warmly recommended.

Richard Adams of "Watership Down" fame said something like "If you ask some one 'Did you read this book?' and they answer 'No, but I saw the film.', they may as well say 'No, but I had breakfast this morning.' They are that different." OK, quote not perfect, but you get the idea. So, do not compare this film with the book which is itself a delight with its unusual format and structure. It was clear that big changes were necessary to make a movie, so you have just to accept that.So, to the film.It looks marvellous, and works in 2-d beautifully, unlike some movies which need 3D because they don't have a plot. Here, there are scenes that will clearly be more dramatic in 3-d, but I managed quite nicely. There are some nice little homages to early cinema.The renditions of Melies' work and his movies are marvellous. Several pleasant little sub-stories are woven in.The cast all do what's required, even if there are no acting Oscars coming here. Ben Kingsley is a joy to watch as usual.The basic story of challenged orphan with a mission is not new, but done well enough; predictable hurdles are overcome in familiar style.I'm far from being a big Scorsese fan, but there are a number of things I enjoy in his CV.I cannot think of a single negative thing to say about this movie; the two hour running time just flies past, and for the first time, I enjoyed watching Sacha Baron Cohen.And yet, it's perhaps not involving enough to earn five stars, but a very solid 4.Don't listen to the naysayers; if you're a sucker for simple joyful storytelling, young or old, just watch it.Charming, delightful, delicious- all those words and a few more.When I've re-read the book, and given this a second watching, I may up this to five stars.

Bought this as it is one which for so.e reaso. Very rarely co.es onto the TV network. This is a fantastic film. With great acting from the young and more experienced actors who star in it. Would recommend