
Variety
With its staggering visuals and genuine heart, Laika chief Travis Knight's fantastical samurai adventure puts the emotion in stop-motion.
Full reviewStop 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.
LessWith its staggering visuals and genuine heart, Laika chief Travis Knight's fantastical samurai adventure puts the emotion in stop-motion.
Full reviewDespite 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 reviewKnight 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.
Full reviewI'm not inclined to give a pass to a family film that indoctrinates an irrational belief system just because it's novel.
Full reviewTolerably 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.
Full reviewBoth Theron and McConaughey are excellent and, along with Game of Thrones' Art Parkinson, who voices Kubo, they're an endearing trio.
Full reviewAn eye-popping delight that deftly blends colorful folklore with gorgeous, origami-informed visuals to immersive effect.
Full reviewYet another success for stop-motion giants Laika, Kubo boasts big laughs and effective scares in a typically gorgeous animated tale.
Full reviewGet to your watchlist.
Or sign in with your email
Don’t have a Flicks account?
Keep track of the movies and show you want to see + get Flicks email updates.
Or sign up with your email
Already have a Flicks account?
Don’t have a Flicks account?
Remembered your password?
To post ratings/reviews we need a username. This is what will appear next to your ratings and reviews.