You won’t see gangsters or much bloodletting in the latest film from acclaimed director Martin Scorsese. “Hugo” is a family-friendly adventure about an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station in 1930s Paris. Of course, with a legend like Scorsese at the helm, that’s only a tiny bit of what the film is actually about.
In another surprise move, Scorsese embraces 3D in a way that makes it worth the premium price. There are glorious tracking shots in three dimensions that rival Scorsese’s own iconic “Goodfellas” sequence.
Based on the book “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” by Brian Selznick, the film begins as a standard children’s fantasy tale. Asa Butterfield plays Hugo, a boy who spends his days secretly winding the train station clocks and avoiding an overzealous guard (Sacha Baron Cohen). He also tinkers away at an automation left to him by his late father (played in flashbacks by Jude Law).
Hugo’s quest to get the machine working leads him to a young girl (Chloe Grace Moretz) and her godfather (Ben Kingsley) who owns a toy shop at the station. Their connection shouldn’t be spoiled, as the reveal of this central mystery is where “Hugo” goes from average kid tale into something special.
Once the story gets going, it’s easy to understand why Scorsese would make a film like “Hugo.” The director has shown great passion for the movies and themes of the time period, and “Hugo” demonstrates that in every sequence.
Aside from its spectacular 3D cinematography, the charms of “Hugo” come with patience. The opening act of the film establishes some annoyingly insignificant side-characters, and the somber performance of Butterfield early on leaves something to be desired. But as Kingsley’s character becomes more involved, and the movie steers away from familiar story beats, “Hugo” proves worth the time commitment.
And seriously, spring for those 3D glasses.
Grade: A-