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Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) - Movie Review


Kubo and the Two Strings is a stop motion animated film from the studio Laika, and is about a boy who must go on this journey to acquire a special magical armor in order to defeat the forces of evil. I'm deliberately not putting more in the synopsis since I believe this movie is best watched with as little knowledge as possible, and hence why I'll keep this review short as well.  

From start to finish, this was a beautiful, heartfelt, entertaining, often really hilarious, and a magical journey. It's an adventure movie that really reels you in with the aspect of adventure. The world/setting was really interesting, and the mythos, the legends, the stories etc all kept adding to the experience. Just the type of adventure I love. 

Kubo was a great character. You feel and root for him throughout. And the supporting characters were just as great if not better. Their relationship with each other, and the way it progresses, was so sweet.

Animation quality was outstanding. This is perhaps the best looking stop motion animated film I've seen. It's a real treat for the eyes. Also, the soundtrack was beautiful. 

As for issues with the film, I had two. One, there were some areas where it felt like the movie was rushed, and it could have used some breathing room there instead. Secondly, the villain and its motivations wasn't as strong as everything else in the movie, so it kinda stuck out like a sore thumb. 

Regardless of that, this is a great animated movie that everyone should watch. It's tailored for all ages and doesn't shy away from being mature. I highly recommend it. 

8.5/10
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