Variety
With its staggering visuals and genuine heart, Laika chief Travis Knight's fantastical samurai adventure puts the emotion in stop-motion.
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Kubo and the Two Strings 3D
Stop motion animated fantasty adventure from Laika (ParaNorman), set in ancient Japan, following a boy who must find help when a vengeful spirit is released. Features Oscar-winning voices Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey, as well as nominees Rooney Mara, Ralph Fiennes and Brenda Vaccaro.
Clever, kindhearted Kubo (Art Parkinson, Game of Thrones) ekes out a humble living, telling stories to the people of his seaside town including Hosato (George Takei), Akihiro (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa), and Kameyo (Vaccaro). But his relatively quiet existence is shattered when he accidentally summons a spirit from his past which storms down from the heavens to enforce an age-old vendetta.
Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey (Theron) and Beetle (McConaughey), and sets out on a thrilling quest to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known. With the help of his shamisen – a magical musical instrument – Kubo must battle gods and monsters, including the vengeful Moon King (Fiennes) and the evil twin Sisters (Mara), to unlock the secret of his legacy, reunite his family, and fulfill his heroic destiny.
Best Animated Film, BAFTAs 2017
2016Rating: PG, Violence & scary scenes92 minsUSALaika
AdventureAnimatedKids & FamilyFantasy3D
Kubo and the Two Strings 3D / Reviews
Time Out
Despite the occasionally laboured writing (with attempts at humour that are dry and distancing), Kubo and the Two Strings is swoonworthy in its vibrant visuals that span across unruly seas, lush landscapes and vivid seasonal colors.
Full reviewThe New York Times
Knight has put together a picture that hits a lot of all-ages-entertainment sweet spots while avoiding hackneyed conventions, and ends up delivering what feels like a sincere family-friendly message.
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The Guardian
I'm not inclined to give a pass to a family film that indoctrinates an irrational belief system just because it's novel.
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Stuff
Tolerably thrilling for primary age children, the dark-tinged, dreamlike Kubo is a welcome antidote to the usual brash and sometimes brusque traditional Hollywood animated fare.
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New Zealand Herald
Both Theron and McConaughey are excellent and, along with Game of Thrones' Art Parkinson, who voices Kubo, they're an endearing trio.
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Hollywood Reporter
An eye-popping delight that deftly blends colorful folklore with gorgeous, origami-informed visuals to immersive effect.
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Empire Magazine
Yet another success for stop-motion giants Laika, Kubo boasts big laughs and effective scares in a typically gorgeous animated tale.
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