Two family-oriented releases show a return to nostalgic form for the director.
Say what you will about Steven Spielberg. I, for one, was excited that he took a break from producing awful “Transformers” movies and return to the director’s chair in 2011. It’s been three years since his last directorial ‘effort’ (“Indy 4: Kingdom of the Missing Screenwriter”), so what better way to return than with a
motion-capture animated adaptation of a little known (at least in the states) Belgian comic book series and a weepie WWI epic about a (possibly magical) horse?
“The Adventures of TinTin”
3D has not been an easy thing to conquer for most directors since Avatar debuted. Most opt for flashy, obvious gimmicks that are often fun in a theme park sort of way but offer little else for immersion. Having Spielberg and Scorsese attempt their first 3D features in the same year offered a decidedly different perspective. For “The Adventures of TinTin,” Spielberg wonderfully incorporates 3D and (even more controversial) motion capture animation.
TinTin (voiced by Jaime Bell) is a precocious, baby-faced reporter with a thirst for adventure. An early montage reveals clips of his stories spanning the globe. The story is simple fare: TinTin is kidnapped by a band of thugs who are after a model ship he purchased at a flea market. His faithful dog Snowy frees him from a pirate ship, where he meets the always-inebriated Captain Haddock (played by Andy Serkis). The three must uncover the mystery before it’s too late.
If all of this sounds like a Saturday morning serial, well it’s because it kind-of-is. It’s clear that Spielberg senses how wafer-thin the plot is, and opts to keep the pace so swift there is rarely a second to question it. Unfortunately the characters and the general sense of danger suffer. I never once felt these characters were in any real peril, which can be OK — but I didn’t really care about any of them either.
It’s a shame, because the film’s team of WETA animators has captured some of the most awe-inspiring animation and action sequences in recent cinema. Spielberg uses the freedom of this canvas to let his camera roam, often-choosing single takes to cover the scope of a scene. TinTin is not this generation’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” and that’s just fine. It’s just refreshing to see a master enjoying himself like this.
“The Adventures of TinTin” is currently showing at several theaters in the Seattle area.
“War Horse”
Spielberg’s other holiday release is an unashamedly sappy World War I horse epic that makes no allusions about where it’s coming from or how it intends to end. In fact, “War Horse” is packed full of so many Hollywood clichés (past and present) that it has time to create new ones. For once, I actually admired the sweetness. Spielberg makes no attempt to shield us from it as he’s done in many recent efforts (“War of the Worlds,” “The Terminal”), but instead wears it on his sleeve.
The story begins with Joey, a clumsy colt that is purchased at auction by drunkard farmer Ted (Peter Mullan). Immediately upon his return home, son Albert (Jeremy Irvine) forges an unbreakable bond, teaching the horse, among other things to run majestically at sunset, eat hay at sunset and plow… at sunset. When the farm loses the season’s crops to a flood, Ted is forced to sell Joey to a British cavalry captain (Tom Hiddleston) as they prepare for war with the Kaiser. We follow Joey and the British into the trenches of WWI.
The battle scenes are expertly crafted and shot by Spielberg’s cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, who paints the landscape brown and gray, leaving little room for color, even in hopeful moments. His critique of war is often biting, leaving a sad, melancholy subtext that permeates the entire film. I did, hoever, find the execution of the battles a bit off-putting, since they were seemingly constrained by the PG-13 rating.
If you already have an aversion to Spielberg because you can’t possibly succumb to his obvious manipulation, then “War Horse” will only strengthen your resolve. I have to admit, my emotional aversion to it slowly wore down. With every swell of John Williams score and beautiful orange-red sunset horse parade, I fell for it. At times, “War Horse” is so saccharine and silly that it’s cringe-worthy (I’m looking at you, creepy farm goose), but at least, for once, Spielberg fully commits to it.
“War Horse” is currently playing at several theaters in the Seattle area.
