With that perspective in mind, The Movie Hubs Blogs presents a cinematic flashback review of “The Adventures of Tintin,” released in 2011

Failure is a concept that often invites harsh judgments from others. Words like “fool,” “loser,” and “hopeless” are hurled at those who falter. Yet, one should never accept such labels for themselves. Self-belief is crucial; projecting the right image is paramount. Care for something deeply, and fight for it. If you hit a wall, push through it. Failure should never defeat you.

THE STORY

The tale unfolds when Tintin (Jamie Bell), a young investigative reporter, acquires a model ship called the Unicorn from a local market. His ownership of this seemingly ordinary ship piques the interest of the enigmatic Mr. Sakharine (Daniel Craig), who is determined to obtain it. When Tintin rejects his offer, he is promptly kidnapped at Sakharine’s behest. Soon, Tintin, accompanied by his loyal dog Snowy, finds himself aboard an aging cargo ship bound for Morocco, with a crew secretly under Sakharine’s payroll conspiring against Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis), a washed-up, alcoholic sailor. Tintin and Haddock’s escape leads to the revelation that the Unicorn holds a centuries-old secret tied to Haddock’s ancestor, Sir Francis Haddock. Together with the bumbling Interpol agents, the Thompson Twins (Simon Pegg and Nick Frost), our heroes must prevent Sakharine from obtaining all three hidden scrolls that hold the key to a legendary treasure.

MY THOUGHTS ABOUT The Adventures of Tintin

My initial introduction to Tintin was through the animated TV series of the same name (1991-1992). Although I didn’t watch it when it originally aired on HBO, I fondly remember catching episodes on Nickelodeon during summer breaks and sick days in elementary school. The adventurous escapades of Tintin always intrigued me. Later, while working at a bookstore, I discovered that “The Adventures of Tintin” originated as a graphic novel comic series created by George Remi under the pen name Hergé. I perused a few volumes in collected novel format and enjoyed them immensely. The character designs and adventurous spirit of the stories left a lasting impression. Fast forward to 2011, and “The Adventures of Tintin” made its cinematic debut. While I missed it in theaters, I thoroughly enjoyed the film upon watching it. Here are my thoughts on this animated gem.

Directed by Steven Spielberg, “The Adventures of Tintin” remains faithful to its source material. Although it adapts the story from three Tintin comics (“The Secret of the Unicorn,” “The Crab with the Golden Claws,” and “Red Rackham’s Treasure”), it captures the essence of the character and his thrilling exploits. The film embodies a sense of mystery, intrigue, and excitement reminiscent of a kid-friendly Indiana Jones adventure. Spielberg’s expertise contributes to the movie’s appeal, translating Hergé’s beloved creation to the screen with finesse.

The film utilizes motion-capture technology to bring its animated characters to life. The result is visually stunning, with detailed CGI animation that remains impressive nearly a decade after the film’s release. The animation style is intricate, reminiscent of “The Polar Express” but more refined. Spielberg’s camera work adds to the cinematic feel, creating an experience that almost mirrors live-action. The character designs pay homage to Hergé’s original creations while adapting them seamlessly to 3D rendering. John Williams’ score, with its adventurous and evocative compositions, enhances the film’s overall appeal.

While “The Adventures of Tintin” excels in many areas, it has some shortcomings. The film’s second act, primarily focused on exposition, could have been more concise. It provides essential plot details but takes its time doing so, slowing down the pace. Additionally, a more episodic sequence for Tintin and Snowy during this section would have been appreciated. The film seems overly enamored with its central narrative. The climactic sequence in the third act, while visually impressive, lacks the impact I expected. The ending leaves room for a sequel but feels ambiguous, hinting at a continuation rather than offering a satisfying conclusion.

The voice cast delivers stellar performances, breathing life into their animated characters. Jamie Bell captures Tintin’s youthful and inquisitive nature, making him a likable and relatable hero. Andy Serkis lends his gruff and distinct voice to Captain Archibald Haddock, infusing the character with endearing qualities. Daniel Craig provides a compelling vocal performance as the main antagonist, Ivan Sakharine, adopting a nasally, upper-class English snootiness. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost offer delightful comic relief as the bumbling Interpol agents Thompson and Thompson.

In summary, “The Adventures of Tintin” is a solid animated film that provides an exhilarating, kid-friendly adventure filled with mystery and intrigue. While it falters in the middle act and has a few minor nitpicks, the film’s beautiful animation, strong voice acting, and sense of adventure make it an enjoyable addition to animated cinema. Fans can only hope that Tintin, Snowy, and their companions return for another cinematic adventure in a sequel.