Kubo and the Two Strings
{5/5} “‘Don’t you ever say anything encouraging?’ ‘I encourage you not to die.'”
Kubo and the Two Strings, released in 2016
Kubo tells stories. One day he forgets that he’s not supposed to be out after dark, and his evil aunts come looking for him. Then he finds himself in a story with a talking monkey, a man with no memory who looks kind of like a bug — and a grandfather who wants to take away his one remaining eye.
This is a stop-motion animated movie, from the studio that brought you ParaNorman and The Boxtrolls.
It’s a masterpiece — highly imaginative, visually stunning, and very funny. I encourage you to see it on the big screen.
It takes place in Japan sometime in the past, but with a fantasy element.
Stars the voices of Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey. Directed by Travis Knight (lead animator on The Boxtrolls). The adventurous music with a Japanese flavour is by Dario Marianelli.