On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie, on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken. When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns this is no ordinary yellow VW bug.
In the epic fantasy, scruffy, kindhearted Kubo ekes out a humble living while devotedly caring for his mother in their sleepy shoreside village. It is a quiet existence – until a spirit from the past catches up with him to enforce an age-old vendetta. Suddenly on the run from gods and monsters, Kubo’s chance for survival rests on finding the magical suit of armor once worn by his fallen father, the greatest samurai the world has ever known. Summoning courage, Kubo embarks on a thrilling odyssey as he faces his family’s history, navigates the elements, and bravely fights for the earth and the stars.
Laika studios has brought us the best animated film of the year, and easily one of the best films of the summer. The stop motion and CGI animation is technical and beautiful. It’s easy to get lost in just the spectacle of the technical achievement. Never mind the characters, story and action which are also so great, this film feels like a wealth of riches. I can’t wait for my next opportunity to see the film.
If Laika continues to produce films of this quality, they could give Pixar a run for their money at being the best animation house. Kubo is definitely worth seeing this in the theater. I hate that it’s probably going to be overlooked for garbage like an unwanted Ben Hur remake and a movie about those rainbow haired trolls.
