Hugo

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: November 23, 2011
7.7
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Generally favorable reviews based on 854 Ratings
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8
EpicLadySpongeApr 25, 2016
Gee, with Hugo, I think I feel like my eyes are very weak and my brain needs to rest by now. Movies never make me like that but Hugo just did and that's how Hugo should be the next time I see this again.
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10
CasualCoolsebMay 14, 2016
I firstly read the book, so I decided to go and check out the movie itself. I was speechless. I couldn't have wished for a better experience from a 2011 movie. Definitely check it out. You'll thank me.
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10
Thigpen84Feb 20, 2017
Hugo brought movie magic back for me, I would put this among Scorsese's Best, Ben Kingsley and Sasha Cohen are as good as ever, great story, and I love the wonderful world within the clocks. this flick took us somewhere we have never beenHugo brought movie magic back for me, I would put this among Scorsese's Best, Ben Kingsley and Sasha Cohen are as good as ever, great story, and I love the wonderful world within the clocks. this flick took us somewhere we have never been before and yet it used old film footage to create it. A great original story but at the same time it pays tribute to a lost time in movie history by finishing a real life story....Brilliant… Expand
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8
MonkiReviewsMay 29, 2017
I loved this movie. The acting was good and the story was magical. The acting was realistic, better than I expected. The look of the movie felt old fashioned and magical, and made it work. It was better than I expected.
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9
FilipeNetoSep 19, 2021
Martin Scorsese has already shown us that he is an extraordinary director and that he is very multifaceted too. Here, he embarked on an unusual cinematic genre in his filmography - adventure films - and gives us a small gem that is worthMartin Scorsese has already shown us that he is an extraordinary director and that he is very multifaceted too. Here, he embarked on an unusual cinematic genre in his filmography - adventure films - and gives us a small gem that is worth seeing, not only for the good work of the actors and the good story, but also for the tribute, deserved, to a name sometimes little remembered in the history of cinema: Georges Méliès. He started his career as a stage illusionist, but after discovering the magic of cinema, he bet everything on the new art, which he saw as more than a passing fad: he built one of the first film studios in the world and made several films there, with dreamlike, adventurous themes, which would be the genesis of current sci-fi, adventure and even horror films. Méliès was the first to write movie scripts, storyboards, he was the first to use special effects and visuals, the first to use fast footage and stop-motion, and even the first to release color films, painted frame by frame.

In this film, we follow the young Hugo Cabret, who lives in hiding at the train station in Paris Montparnasse, where his uncle is a watchmaker. The uncle has disappeared, probably drunk, and he is the one who secretly fixes the clocks. He inherited from his deceased father an automaton that he tries to fix, knowing that this is what he wanted before he died, but when his notebook is confiscated by a toy seller who takes him for a common thief, he asks for his niece's help to retrieve it.

It's not a perfect movie, but it's certainly a good bet for an evening with the family or friends. Personally, I want to highlight the final part, where Scorsese really pays homage to the figure of Méliès, even calling him to the stage for a well-deserved ovation, even if only symbolic, so to speak. The film shows us well how cinema was made when it was born, and the magic that, even then, existed behind the cameras.

The film has a good cast, which highlights the figure of the young Asa Butterfield, in a good job of interpretation. Even better than him, Chloe Grace Moretz steals the public's attention whenever she appears, giving the character a joviality, joy and mischief that feels good to us. As far as "adult actors" is concerned, it's the Ben Kingsley film. He dominates the scenes where he appears and is in great shape and inspired, giving us one of the highest quality works of his career as an actor... and that's something, looking at his filmography, where names like "Gandhi" or "Schindler's List" stand out. Another veteran here is Christopher Lee, in a brief cameo. Far less pleasant than his colleagues, Sacha Baron Cohen tries to be funny as a railway police, but he can't and isn't able to do it. There are a lot of good actors here - Scorcese seems to draw them in like he's a bright light - but they do so little that we don't really see them.

Technically, it's a film full of value, starting with excellent cinematography, where color is wisely put to use, and the filming work is masterfully done. The film makes good use of visual and CGI techniques to make it even more beautiful, as well as making good use of the sets and costumes, very well done and full of details. The editing was done well, but the film still has some pacing issues: if the beginning seems to be having trouble telling openly what's next, the rest of the film improves substantially, grabs the story, but still takes too long in some scenes without this seeming justified. There are also several sub-plots, mainly associated with people who live or work in the station, which are not developed properly and get lost, like loose ends. The soundtrack, signed by Howard Shore, is really very good, with the use of the accordion giving it a really very Parisian smell and pleasing to the ear.… Expand
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6
AlanoSilvaPBFeb 25, 2023
A parte técnica desse filme é um show a parte, e a história é simplesmente cativante. Diante disso, afirmo sem dúvidas que A Invenção de Hugo Cabret é uma aventura belíssima.
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10
meydianarizki21Apr 17, 2021
This movie teaches us human beings what humanity really is. As in other words, it taught me how to be kind to others. To learn what’s going on with other people before judging because of their appearance.. It filled my heart with happiness. IThis movie teaches us human beings what humanity really is. As in other words, it taught me how to be kind to others. To learn what’s going on with other people before judging because of their appearance.. It filled my heart with happiness. I might not sound serious. But, I forever will remember this movie from today onward.… Expand
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10
SakataOct 11, 2018
A beautiful story, with great references to the origin of the cinema and with captivating and friendly characters.
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8
carlossolracMay 16, 2019
Great visuals. Story a bit blocky and oportunistisc from a narrative point. Like, man, a lot of things fell into place pretty neatly. Would have been better served with a discussion on fatalism vs free will....then again this was sorta a kidsGreat visuals. Story a bit blocky and oportunistisc from a narrative point. Like, man, a lot of things fell into place pretty neatly. Would have been better served with a discussion on fatalism vs free will....then again this was sorta a kids movie. Marty got to geek out a bit while directing....def had fun with the old movies. A bit of a throw off too with all the British accents in Paris. Why pick only Brit actors? Why just not make in London with same plot?… Expand
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9
zNeverSleepingMay 26, 2020
Hugo: Um filme sobre cinema!

Martin Scorsese fez um trabalho excepcional aqui. Paris, ou de forma isolada: A estação de trem, parece ter vida própria. A cenografia e figurino são excepcionais; A OST inclui muito a todo cenário e a fotografiaHugo: Um filme sobre cinema!

Martin Scorsese fez um trabalho excepcional aqui. Paris, ou de forma isolada: A estação de trem, parece ter vida própria. A cenografia e figurino são excepcionais; A OST inclui muito a todo cenário e a fotografia é apaixonante, principalmente a noite.

Todos os personagens estão muito bem situados, inclusive suas subtramas. O filme é muito misterioso e lida bem com quais informações devemos saber a cada momento, nos prendendo muito. A conclusão de alguns personagens, no que se refere a sua historia, é deveras emocionante, principalmente se tratando de cinema. Ver a esposa do cineasta no seu - até então - único filme restante é de encher os olhos de lagrimas. Todos os elementos se encaixando tornam o final muito mais agradável e congruente.
Só fiquei um pouco ressentido quanto ao final do inspetor, por mesmo tendo achado sua parceira e consertado seu "equipamento de perna", não me parece ter tido uma conclusão tão orgânica. Porém, de resto, o filme é impecável.… Expand
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10
jvboiiJul 22, 2019
Martin Scorsese is my favorite director and this is my favorite movie from him. Everything about this movie is beautiful, it sad, it's happy, it funny, and fun. Hugo is very mature for a family movie, but that's expected from a director likeMartin Scorsese is my favorite director and this is my favorite movie from him. Everything about this movie is beautiful, it sad, it's happy, it funny, and fun. Hugo is very mature for a family movie, but that's expected from a director like Scorsese. This is a love letter to movies and being someone that loves movies I love this movie. It's in my top ten and I'm pretty sure it's always gonna be up there. I've seen this movie more times than I can count and I love it more and more every time. This is probably the only movie in my top ten that I can show my family so this is a very special movie to me.… Expand
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10
DiptanshuOct 15, 2019
A Great Treat to watch for Movie Lovers!Really its a Timeless wonder!Made my Opinion true about martin scorsese is really God Of Movies!!
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9
DawdlingPoetNov 20, 2021
This is a family film which is mainly adventure and drama centred. It features themes including entertainment, film making as an industry, dreamers and carpentry. I noticed two things from early on, within minutes of the film starting - oneThis is a family film which is mainly adventure and drama centred. It features themes including entertainment, film making as an industry, dreamers and carpentry. I noticed two things from early on, within minutes of the film starting - one being the beautiful visual effects or more generally the cinematography and the other being the quite charming and mostly Parisienne sounding music. Suffice to say, its quite an atmospheric watch - an immersive one at that. I do appreciate a good family friendly film, although im not always bothered by, or interested in, especially dumbed down kids films as such, just to make that clear lol but this film I enjoyed as I thought the plot was quite curious and it looked very much like a film that had been well thought out in advance.

I found the main character Hugo Cabret, to be an intriguing person. There's a lot of mystery surrounding him and his background and I felt as eager as he was to try and learn more. I thought it was interesting that we see the films events almost entirely from his visual viewpoint, watching other adults bicker and laugh and otherwise in front of him while he cowers away in the gaps between the train stations walls. In terms of genre, I found myself thinking that the film reminded me a bit of the more recent Disney live action and CGI combined Chronicles of Narnia films. There is a definite innocence and Victorian style charm aspect to both a number of the characters (primarily the children, unsurprisingly) and the settings.

Cast wise, Hugo is played by Asa Butterfield. He comes across as very naive, quite a nervous and yet also strong willed young boy, a bit of an Oliver Twist type, having to get by on the 'mean streets' or should that be the mean train station platforms?. He appears quite wide eyed and curious at times and I found him someone easy to feel sorry for and to hope the best for as well. Meanwhile, a shopkeeper who has dealings with Hugo is George Melies, who is played by Ben Kingsley and the station inspector (an unnamed character) is played by Sacha Baron Cohen. I'm relieved to say that he does tone down his usual over the top rude and slapstick character ways, as would obviously be the case for this being a family film(!). Other cast members include Chloe Grace Moretz as Isabelle, Christopher Lee as Monsieur Labisse, Helen McCrory as Mama Jeanne and Ray Winstone as Uncle Claude. It was interesting to see both Ben Kingsley and Ray Winstone in a non-violent film but then of course the same can be said about the fact that the director is none other than Martin Scorsese. Although, I should probably add that the film is based on a book by Brian Selznick.

As mentioned earlier, I really liked the music present in the film. There is a nice mix of fairly light classical music, orchestrated pieces a bit like what you might hear in a Harry Potter film or something similar, other family/fantasy films of this ilk. There are also some nice continental, Parisienne sounding pieces which I enjoyed.

Content wise, there's little to mention really, other than a couple of brief scenes which imply threat or peril and may mildly frighten young viewers. The film also include some black and white silent film clips, which portray instances of comic violence and threatening moments. Otherwise, the only thing worth mentioning is that some characters are shown drinking or drunk. There is a sad part/aspect to the plot but its unlikely to overly frighten kids, as although war is mentioned in historical context, nothing graphic is shown. The film has been given a U rating, although interestingly its given a PG rating in the USA due to some mild thematic content and some peril, which surprised me a bit as I'd have thought the US would be more likely to give it a lower rating but there you go(!).

I liked that some of the dialogue is provided by voice over/naration, giving it a more authentic feel of a story come to life in a sense. It is very much a cinematic film, if that makes any sense - it seemed to me that there's been a lot of money and thought put in to it and it certainly impressed me. I particularly like the fact that it didn't in any way seem patronising towards the children, the younger characters and the relatively young target audience. Both adults and kids will likely find things they enjoy about this film and its fairly rare these days to find many films which work well for both young and old. The directors love of films and film making comes across brilliantly.

Now, can I genuinely, hand on heart, say there are no potentially downsides for some people? no, as there are. I felt a bit confused/muddled by the plot at the very end - I wouldn't say it has a bad ending but there are one or two twists and I found myself feeling confused about quite how some of the plot elements ended up the way they do. Also, it does feature a fair amount of sentimentality, which won't appeal to everyone but I didn't feel it was far too over the top.… Expand
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5
akshatmahajanSep 1, 2020
I was excited for this movie but it was disappointing for me. Directed by Martin who is famous for gangster type movies, this movie was not for him.
It was hard to see who this film is aimed at. The storyline was too childish. The action isI was excited for this movie but it was disappointing for me. Directed by Martin who is famous for gangster type movies, this movie was not for him.
It was hard to see who this film is aimed at. The storyline was too childish. The action is slow and dreary for most of the film and the acting by most of the cast is okay. Only cinematography is good. Overall, it is a big disappointment.… Expand
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9
ThecalmguyJan 18, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The movie was beautifully crafted with rich color and appropriate camera angle. I enjoy the movie frame by frame in terms of the visuals. The storyline was great but left a little bit to be desired since I expected more involvement from the father in the plot. Overall, Hugo was a great and cozy movie to watch with your family during a lazy weekend.… Expand
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8
NickTheCritickNov 4, 2021
As I said before when Scorsese goes out from his comfort zone turns out to give his best as a director (his best movies are in fact Alice doesn't live here anymore and After Hours). I would place this movie right behind the two I mentionedAs I said before when Scorsese goes out from his comfort zone turns out to give his best as a director (his best movies are in fact Alice doesn't live here anymore and After Hours). I would place this movie right behind the two I mentioned before. What a beautifully full-of-soul shot movie! What a great acting, editing and what a great cinematography! I Didn't like many of Scorsese's XXI century movies but this is a great one!… Expand
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7
JJ2FAS4UDec 30, 2021
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5
NemethLFeb 16, 2022
A mediocre imitation of Wes Anderson. Big names, but the movie is too long and unnecessarily aloe.
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