Kubo and the Two Strings

Focus Features | Release Date: August 19, 2016

8.1	USER SCORE Universal acclaim based on 551 Ratings

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Eilidh2Aug 20, 2016

Kubo is staggeringly beautiful both visually and aurally. Dario Marianelli's score is sublime. The stop-motion animation has so advanced that nothing previously done is comparable in quality.

The story is simple. The hero Kubo must acquireKubo is staggeringly beautiful both visually and aurally. Dario Marianelli's score is sublime. The stop-motion animation has so advanced that nothing previously done is comparable in quality.

The story is simple. The hero Kubo must acquire the arms to protect himself from the evil Moon King, his grandfather. Along the way he is helped by Monkey a magical being Kubo's mother created from a talisman and Beetle, a giant man-beetle hybrid who suspects (he doesn't have a memory) that he must have been a warrior serving Kubo's father the greatest samurai.

The story is incredibly moving with great flashes of humor alleviating the mournful tone. Matthew McConaughey provides the comic relief as Beetle and, ultimately, a great poignancy. Charlize Theron is very forceful as the determined Monkey. The constant banter between the two is very amusing and gives the viewer the chance to catch their breath between stunning action sequences and the terrible sadness of events in the film.

As Kubo, Art Parkinson gives a performance that is haunting. It may only be a voice performance, but it is one of the best a child actor has ever given.

Rooney Mara playing both of Kubo's evil aunts is as creepy as the twins in The Shining. Ralph Fiennes was the only (slightly) disappointing performance.

When the audience discovers the significance of the "Two Strings" of the title, it may be hard to hear the rest of the dialogue for the audible sobbing in the theater!… Expand

2 of 16 users found this helpful214

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WheelzFourReelzAug 20, 2016

Simply put, Kubo and the Two Strings is one of the best animated films I've ever seen in my life. The combination of gorgeous stopmotion animation, great characters, phenomenal voice acting, exciting action, and a beautiful and emotionalSimply put, Kubo and the Two Strings is one of the best animated films I've ever seen in my life. The combination of gorgeous stopmotion animation, great characters, phenomenal voice acting, exciting action, and a beautiful and emotional story results in a movie that I absolutely adored from start to finish. This movie deserves all the money in the world for how excellent it is.… Expand

7 of 21 users found this helpful714

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dnabzugAug 20, 2016

Kubo has more charm, originality, heart, and magic than any other three films I've seen this year. There have been remakes and sequels galore lately, but this is that rarest of things. It's original. It's funny. it's heartwarming. It'sKubo has more charm, originality, heart, and magic than any other three films I've seen this year. There have been remakes and sequels galore lately, but this is that rarest of things. It's original. It's funny. it's heartwarming. It's exciting. And it makes you feel like few films have done.

Do yourself a favor. Go see this film.… Expand

7 of 23 users found this helpful716

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WendyTAug 20, 2016

Visually stunning it holds your attention from the first scene. The care and affection in making the film is evident. The story is also as compelling, it reveals itself in ways unique. The voice actors were excellent - my one regret is thatVisually stunning it holds your attention from the first scene. The care and affection in making the film is evident. The story is also as compelling, it reveals itself in ways unique. The voice actors were excellent - my one regret is that the dialog, stylistically, was often at odds with the film's visual styling; word and picture simply did not match. I wish the director had had more confidence in the audience's begin comfortable with language worthy of a film so beautifully rendered.… Expand

6 of 21 users found this helpful615

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blizzardblueAug 20, 2016

Beautiful to watch, to think people made this with their own hands gives makes you appreciate movie making & story telling, voice acting is excellent from all involved, don't miss it.

6 of 20 users found this helpful614

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ScrawnyPunkAug 20, 2016

A perfect movie. Stunning visuals, quests, humor, a classic hero's journey, and life-through-story, all orbiting around a massive emotional center. That's the "Dad" review. From the eight-year-old boy - "Second best movie ever...behindA perfect movie. Stunning visuals, quests, humor, a classic hero's journey, and life-through-story, all orbiting around a massive emotional center. That's the "Dad" review. From the eight-year-old boy - "Second best movie ever...behind Jurassic Park."

This is an absolute work of art, and something that other children's movies should aspire to. (Most of the reward is seeing the plot unfold, so I'll let you experience that for yourself)… Expand

6 of 22 users found this helpful616

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SteelthoughtsAug 20, 2016

This film was basically exactly what I expected it to be. I wanted to see it because I am a fan of Japanese RPG video games, and I wasn't disappointed. However, most others may be disappointed since the story was rushed, the backstory wasn'tThis film was basically exactly what I expected it to be. I wanted to see it because I am a fan of Japanese RPG video games, and I wasn't disappointed. However, most others may be disappointed since the story was rushed, the backstory wasn't explained well enough, and the brief moments of humor in the film didn't have enough silence in between to allow the audience to laugh. In other words, if there is a different film that is child-appropriate to take children to this weekend, that film is probably a better choice.… Expand

2 of 17 users found this helpful215

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TVJerryAug 20, 2016

The folks at Laika Studio (ParaNorman, Box Trolls, Coraline) excel in creating atypical animations: Atypical because they use labor-intensive stop-motion and diverge from traditional subject matter. This film tells the story of a youngThe folks at Laika Studio (ParaNorman, Box Trolls, Coraline) excel in creating atypical animations: Atypical because they use labor-intensive stop-motion and diverge from traditional subject matter. This film tells the story of a young Japanese boy with storytelling gifts and magical origami skills. He sets out with his friends Monkey & Beetle to discover his family's secrets. While the animation is lovely, the story moves with a humble pace and dramatic nuance that is often slowed by long scenes of gentle dialogue. There are a few modern-style quips tossed about, but this is not a comedy. There's a sweet appeal and a quiet charm, but it ultimately lacks much emotional punch and visual splendor. Do children enjoy art films? NOTE: Stay thru the credits to see how one of the creatures is animated.… Expand

16 of 23 users found this helpful167

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AkusureiAug 20, 2016

I had a chance to see and advance screening of this in 3D. My biggest issue with the movie wasn't the movie itself, but the poor quality of the theaters projection. The 3D is some of the best I have seen, but the picture presentation wasI had a chance to see and advance screening of this in 3D. My biggest issue with the movie wasn't the movie itself, but the poor quality of the theaters projection. The 3D is some of the best I have seen, but the picture presentation was murky as hell! This obviously isn't the movie's fault, my suggestion would be, "If you choose to see this in 3D, see it in a newer theater." This movie would make Kurasawa smile.

Pros + Fantastic use of 3D.
Amazing stop motion animation.
Likable characters.
Gets emotional at times.
I loved the Regina Spektor cover of "While my Guitar Gently Weeps".
Great voice talent.
Easy, Breezy, Story.
I love the amount of love that went into the making of this.
Fantastic end credits.
No annoying forgetful fish. Warning: This movie does contain fish

Cons - Story is predictable, it's a fetch quest, Grab these items and proceed with caution to the next
location.
The surprise Kubo finds out about during his journey.
Needed more George Takei and Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa… Expand

2 of 18 users found this helpful216

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dannytran555Aug 20, 2016

Here what my Review about Kubo

Art : 10/10 Plot: 4/10 Twist: 0/10 Fight scene: 6/10 Visual effect: 8/10 Ending 3/10 (Extremely anti climax) Music 9/10 Climax :Here what my Review about Kubo

Art : 10/10
Plot: 4/10
Twist: 0/10
Fight scene: 6/10
Visual effect: 8/10
Ending 3/10 (Extremely anti climax)
Music 9/10
Climax : Don't count on it
Total Point C+ ( i almost sleep in middle of movie, my sister already sleep )… Expand

15 of 27 users found this helpful1512

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GwyndolinAug 19, 2016

The sound and visual are stunning and I would recommend the movie for those qualities alone.
The story had potential that was never fully realized. Same goes with the dialogue, had some great moments but often times missed the mark. DespiteThe sound and visual are stunning and I would recommend the movie for those qualities alone.
The story had potential that was never fully realized. Same goes with the dialogue, had some great moments but often times missed the mark. Despite its shortcomings, this is going down as one of the most memorable movies I've ever seen.… Expand

5 of 19 users found this helpful514

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JSpot9Aug 19, 2016

So this movie basically has the same narrative structure as a Legend of Zelda game, and I'm not gonna lie it's pretty great. It's a ton of fun, and moves fast enough to never get boring, despite having a lot of solemn, deep moments. It's notSo this movie basically has the same narrative structure as a Legend of Zelda game, and I'm not gonna lie it's pretty great. It's a ton of fun, and moves fast enough to never get boring, despite having a lot of solemn, deep moments. It's not perfect though, the plotting is a bit unoriginal, certain character beats feel a bit one note, and a couple of key plot twists I predicted long before they were revealed, however the whole enterprise is held together by some truly stunning animation, awesome fight scenes, emotionally compelling characters, the themes of loss and family, and a sense of adventure. So yeah I love Kubo.… Expand

6 of 22 users found this helpful616

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DigitalMindZAug 19, 2016

Kubo and the Two Strings est un film d'animations magnifique. La réalisation par « stop motion » rend au visuel un aspect organique que l'imagerie par ordinateur pure ne rend pas. L'histoire n'est pas pour les jeunes enfants. En résumé, leKubo and the Two Strings est un film d'animations magnifique. La réalisation par « stop motion » rend au visuel un aspect organique que l'imagerie par ordinateur pure ne rend pas. L'histoire n'est pas pour les jeunes enfants. En résumé, le grand-père de Kobu, une entité céleste, roi de la lune, lui a pris un œil et il veut lui prendre l'autre. Son père est décédé en affrontant les forces du roi de la lune afin de permettre à Kubo et à sa mère de fuir. Comme sa mère, Kubo possède un pouvoir sur les choses qui l'entour. La nuit tombée, notre héros doit absolument demeuré caché afin que les forces du roi de la lune ne le retrouvent pas... Sauf qu'un soir, Kobu se fait surprendre par ces forces obscures... À plusieurs reprises, l'action et les enjeux m'ont fait être absorbé par elles. Le singe vole la vedette. Un film à voir pour les fans de films d'animation et d'histoire style asiatique avec une pincée dramatique. J'écris ceci et j'ai déjà envie de le revoir. :)… Expand

2 of 15 users found this helpful213

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VictorCruzAug 19, 2016

After a summer of disappointing sequels and blockbusters, we finally got an outstanding original story. Kubo and The Two Strings is the best animated film of the year and one of the best films of 2016. It has a compelling story, stunningAfter a summer of disappointing sequels and blockbusters, we finally got an outstanding original story. Kubo and The Two Strings is the best animated film of the year and one of the best films of 2016. It has a compelling story, stunning visuals, remarkable animation, and great voice acting, especially by Charlize Theron.… Expand

19 of 37 users found this helpful1918

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EpicLadySpongeAug 19, 2016

Well, it's finally about time those kids get something to see in theaters. Kubo and the Two Strings brings all the crumbling stereotypes and with its impressing story, interesting voice acting, and great animation, takes them to a place whereWell, it's finally about time those kids get something to see in theaters. Kubo and the Two Strings brings all the crumbling stereotypes and with its impressing story, interesting voice acting, and great animation, takes them to a place where you'll never see them during at least much of the film.… Expand

10 of 26 users found this helpful1016

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