The special effects in the 3D version of this movie are absolutely beautiful. The same can be said of the set design and costuming. The movie is set during the height of Paris fashion-- Post World War I.
I was a bit disappointed in the story development. It was too predictable and flat..very little big suspense. All of the characters have a "secret" and they are all too willing to tell everyone so..and if you ask them twice, or look at them sideways, they'll go ahead and tell you their huge secret. A worthy secret should be brutally wrenched from deep inside and only revealed just before a character will be forced off of a proverbial cliff.
Two secrects that I expected to have a resolution were just left unanswered: What happened to the childrens' mothers? I also expected the book seller to reveal his secret connection to the story, but nothing ever came of that mystery. What were the handlebar mustaches even their for? That kind of mustache denotes impending evil. He was mysterious without a payoff. I had big hopes that the girl would be shown to have grown up to become some well-known authoress of that time period..and probably a gay one. (maybe a young Gertrude Stein? Did anyone else''s gaydar go off?) Maybe the times don't work as far as age. I'm a sucker for a happy ending, but this one really felt like it came too easy and exactly at the point the viewer would expect it.
Surprise will always be the most important ingredient in magic, yet this script left little magic in the storyline. The magic was all in the beauty of the effects. Movie story magic could have really propelled this story into something unforgettable. As a film history buff, I am surprised tthat I have seen no trailers touting the semi-biographical/historical elements of the story. There are alot of folks, young and old, who would be fascinated to see a movie which is largely about the people and the machinations of early film history.
Finally, if I had written this movie, I think it could have benefited by some quick glimpse into the lives of Hugo and the girl as a adults--having their own happy ending persuing their own talents and forshadowing some link to super success in their chosen careers.
I recommend seeing it in the theater, especially if you are interested in film history--including the film history in the making of the 3D special effects. When the camera's POV is swerving through crowds of people on train platforms, you really feel the illusion of flying, in my opinion. The fact remains that there is no subsitute for good old-fashioned story line. The 2 together would have been elusive movie magic I crave.
I was a bit disappointed in the story development. It was too predictable and flat..very little big suspense. All of the characters have a "secret" and they are all too willing to tell everyone so..and if you ask them twice, or look at them sideways, they'll go ahead and tell you their huge secret. A worthy secret should be brutally wrenched from deep inside and only revealed just before a character will be forced off of a proverbial cliff.
Two secrects that I expected to have a resolution were just left unanswered: What happened to the childrens' mothers? I also expected the book seller to reveal his secret connection to the story, but nothing ever came of that mystery. What were the handlebar mustaches even their for? That kind of mustache denotes impending evil. He was mysterious without a payoff. I had big hopes that the girl would be shown to have grown up to become some well-known authoress of that time period..and probably a gay one. (maybe a young Gertrude Stein? Did anyone else''s gaydar go off?) Maybe the times don't work as far as age. I'm a sucker for a happy ending, but this one really felt like it came too easy and exactly at the point the viewer would expect it.
Surprise will always be the most important ingredient in magic, yet this script left little magic in the storyline. The magic was all in the beauty of the effects. Movie story magic could have really propelled this story into something unforgettable. As a film history buff, I am surprised tthat I have seen no trailers touting the semi-biographical/historical elements of the story. There are alot of folks, young and old, who would be fascinated to see a movie which is largely about the people and the machinations of early film history.
Finally, if I had written this movie, I think it could have benefited by some quick glimpse into the lives of Hugo and the girl as a adults--having their own happy ending persuing their own talents and forshadowing some link to super success in their chosen careers.
I recommend seeing it in the theater, especially if you are interested in film history--including the film history in the making of the 3D special effects. When the camera's POV is swerving through crowds of people on train platforms, you really feel the illusion of flying, in my opinion. The fact remains that there is no subsitute for good old-fashioned story line. The 2 together would have been elusive movie magic I crave.
Top Box Office
- 1.$70.2M
- 2.$35.8M
- 3.$23.9M
- 4.$3.2M
- 5.$3.0M
- 6.$2.8M
- 7.$2.3M
- 8.$2.2M
- 9.$2.2M
- 10.$1.2M