Movie Review Hugo

Hugo (2011) 

Directed by Martin Scorsese

Written by John Logan 

Starring Asa Butterfield, Chloe Grace Moretz, Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen

Release Date November 23rd, 2011 

Published 10-25-2023

Imagine for a moment Martin Scorsese taking you aside to tell you why he loves the movies. Not only does Martin Scorsese tell you why he loves movies, he tells you via a fable about a child, a mechanized figure and legendary French director George Melies. If you're like me then this scenario sounds like bliss and "Hugo" is indeed a blissful experience. Through the much maligned form of the family movie Martin Scorsese has offered to fans an education in the magic of the movie and a wonderful adventure that will undoubtedly delight the whole family.

Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield) lost his father (Jude Law) at a very young age. The tragedy is still fresh when we meet Hugo while he runs about fixing the clocks inside a French train station. The clocks had been the purview of Hugo's drunken, loutish Uncle (a barely recognizable Ray Winstone); Hugo took over when his Uncle disappeared.

Hugo has subsisted for some time without adult supervision. His means of gathering provisions is to steal them; something that has him on the radar of the train station's nasty head of security (Sascha Baron Cohen). Hugo steals more than just food however and it's on a non-food related excursion that Hugo comes close to getting caught.

Hugo has only one possession, a strange robot-like figure that is nearly as big as he is. This automaton, as his father had called it, was likely once owned by a strange old magician and assisted with fabulous stage theatrics. Hugo is convinced that if he can fix the automaton that it may be the key to a message from his late father.

While trying to steal parts for his automaton Hugo crosses the toy shop operator, Mr. George (Ben Kingsley). As punishment Mr. George takes Hugo's beloved notebook that once belonged to Hugo's father. In order to get it back Hugo enlists the help of Mr. George's adopted God-Daughter, Isabelle (Chloe Moretz) and together they begin a grand adventure.

Find my full length review at Geeks.Media