Saturday, May 18, 2013

The Lost Legacy: A Movie Review of Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson's "The Adventures of TinTin"

When young journalist TinTin uncovers a mystery of a sunken fortune, he and his faithful dog Snowy are on the case! Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson brought the 1940's comic character to the screen. For those who remember this delightful "detective," the more recent  Adventures of TinTin will not disappoint! It includes the voice talents of Jamie Bell as TinTin (who, I think, does a marvelous job), Andy Serkis as Captain Haddock, and Daniel Craig as Mr. Ivan Sakharine.

SUMMARY
   After buying a model ship, journalist TinTin finds out that there are people out there who are willing to do whatever it takes to get their hands on it. TinTin then discovers a piece of paper hidden inside the ship's mast. It contains a riddle that he and Snowy follow. They then learn about the disastrous journey of the ship called The Unicorn. The two of them are captured and taken aboard a ship, where they eventually meet descendant of The Unicorn's captain.
   TinTin, Snowy, and Captain Haddock journey to Baghar. They must race against the evil Sakharine to find the secret of The Unicorn. The movie builds up to the great climax.

CONTENT
   For a PG-rated film, the violence was a little disturbing. Some parts I would expect from a PG-13 film, but not one carrying this more lenient rating. Early on, a man is shot (though we are not shown the actual shooting) and his uses his blood to trace a secret message to TinTin. There is action violence throughout the film (including more guns). In one scene (during a flashback), the evil pirate Red Rackham orders a ship's 
crew thrown overboard. The audience is shown the crew mates (bound with ropes) pushed into the sea and eaten by sharks. 
   Throughout the film, Captain Haddock is either drunk or drinking. Sakharine mentions twice that he is a drunkard and we are actually shown Haddock in his delirious state. Thankfully, he conquers this weakness by the end of the film. In one ridiculous scene, though, he uses his breath to keep an airplane's engine going. 
   TinTin is really a wonderful adventure. Many aspects reminded me of the Indiana Jones movies. The musical score, by John Williams, sounded very similar to the Indiana Jones movies (specifically the third one). There are a few comical scenes, usually including the two blundering detectives Thompson and Thompson. 
   I think that pre-teens may be comfortable with this film, but not many younger viewers. My seven-year-old brother watched this movie, but closed his eyes for the most violent scenes. Adults will enjoy this film, I'm sure, but probably not as much as pre-teens or teens.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Length: 106 minutes
Rating: PG (for adventure action violence, some drunkenness, and brief smoking)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Producers: Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, and Kathleen Kennedy
Music: John Williams
Year of release: 2011
Audience: Pre-teens, teens

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