—
“Kubo and the Two Strings” soars and dares for greatness. Director and Animator Travis Knight’s “Kubo and the Two Strings” is a visual masterpiece that celebrates the power of storytelling to inspire and forgive. Charlize Theron’s voice echoes that memories are “the greatest magic of all”. The mind may forget, but the soul remembers in “Kubo”. It is one of the best movies of the year. Knight’s “Kubo” has the feel of an old Japanese fable about samurai, family, and love. In a breathtaking scene, tiny Shinto lantern boats which honor the deceased float out into the night sea. Marc Haimes and Chris Butler wrote the wonderful screenplay; Haimes and Shannon Tindle wrote the timeless story.
“Kubo” is a stop action animated movie— a precise and time intensive process. Knight’s mesmerizing imagery and Haimes and Butler’s eloquent words generate the innocence and wonder of Kubo’s journey. Knight displays many diverse images like the ship composed of autumn leaves on an ocean of origami blue. Contrast that with the eerie night sky as the evil Witch Sisters (scary Rooney Mara) battle against Kubo’s Mother. “Kubo” is more than good against evil. It is about love and forgiveness— void of enemies. The brave boy samurai Kubo, radiantly voiced by young Art Parkinson, deserves to find peace and his place in the world. Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey are amazing as the voices of Kubo’s protectors, who would die for him. Samurai means “to serve”. They transcend their promise to love forever.
As the story opens Kubo and his Mother wash up upon the barren beach. Infant Kubo is missing an eye. Later we see Kubo with eye patch caring for his ailing Mother, weakened and memory fading, in a cave above the Japanese seaside village. Apparently, his Mother was a very formidable witch. Kubo plays his magical shamisen (lute) for the villagers below. The shamisen tunes create origami characters that tell his Mother’s stories of his father, samurai Hanzo. Kubo is resilient and joyful. A magical spell of nightfall guards Kubo from the malevolent Moon King (ominous Ralph Fiennes at his “Harry Potter” best).
One evening, failing to comply with the spell Kubo shockingly discovers his fate. Tragedy ensues. The noble warrior Monkey (powerful Theron) emerges as Kubo’s guardian. They must find the magical sword, armor, and helmet of his father to defeat the Moon King. Along the journey, Beetle (breezy strong McConaughey) also enrolls as Kubo’s protector. Beetle was a samurai beholding to Hanzo, before he transformed into a large armored beetle. Other than that he remembers nothing.
Knight touchingly fosters the bonds among the three– an elemental triad. Theron and McConaughey presence sublime familiarity and affinity. Poignantly, Monkey tells the story of Hanzo, who says, “You are my quest.” Heroes inspire new heroes into existence. Kubo’s journey is that of a hero. The battles are fierce and costly including a gigantic skeleton, and the climatic conflict of destiny. “Kubo and the 2 Strings” is awesome.
What I was left with were the final images of “Kubo”. They move with the elegance and power of Japanese calligraphy strokes. It is beauty to the soul. Nothing more needs to be said.
—