Laika has been kicking ass in the world of stop motion animation for the last few years. Films like The Boxtrolls and Paranorman prove that, while it may be more “popular” to go CG, going stop motion can create stunning visuals that are timeless and don’t feel dated just a couple years later.
With Kubo and the Two Strings, they’ve really upped their game and moved to a whole new visual style. While I’m sure the tale a small boy from Japan on an epic quest will be very entertaining, these movies are so great looking you could probably watch them on mute and still have a great time.
That said, if you are wise enough to keep the sound on, you’ll be treated to a voice cast that includes: Charlize Theron, Art Parkinson, Ralph Fiennes, Rooney Mara, George Takei, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Brenda Vaccaro, and Matthew McConaughey.
An epic action-adventure set in a fantastical Japan from acclaimed animation studio LAIKA. Clever, kindhearted Kubo (voiced by Art Parkinson of “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 (Academy Award nominee Brenda 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 (Academy Award winner Charlize Theron) and Beetle (Academy Award winner Matthew 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 (Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes) and the evil twin Sisters (Academy Award nominee Rooney Mara), to unlock the secret of his legacy, reunite his family, and fulfill his heroic destiny.