Kubo and the Two Strings is a beautiful stop-motion animation about a brave one-eyed boy named Kubo (voiced by Art Parkinson), on a thrilling quest to find three pieces of his late father’s mythical, super-powered warrior’s armour to save his family.

Kubo is a bright kid who lives with his mother in a cave and makes a living by telling fantastical stories to the people of his small town. He possesses a magical two-string shamisen that lets him fly and bring origami figures to life.

The 11-year-old teams up with a talking Monkey (Charlize Theron) and a large, goofy humanoid Beetle (Matthew McConaughey), and, among other things, they battle a pair of ghost-like spirits, who are his twin evil aunts and his grandfather, who can shape-shift into a serpent-like dragon.

The story unfolds in a very interesting way, with the audience learning about Kubo’s family history at the same time that he does, from clues, memories and the tales passed down to him, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle falling into place to slowly reveal the whole picture.

Kubo and the Two Strings is more meaningful than the usual animated flicks which rely main of stunning visuals. The story, set in ancient Japan, deals with themes such as family, compassion, forgiveness, the strength of the human will and defining one’s own path.

The movie offers visual splendour and great storytelling. And it aptly opens with Kubo telling the audience “If you must blink, do it now,” preparing them for 90 minutes of magical adventure.

Though the movie was clearly set in ancient Japan and featured Japanese characters, traditions and imagery, it is a movie for an international audience and gives any animated flick coming out of Hollywood a run for its money.

The movie is rated PG (for thematic elements, scary images, action and peril).

Published in Dawn, Young World, September 24th, 2016