Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig and Simon Pegg
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors have made movies audiences cherish like Andy Serkis. Following rise to fame in the 1990’s, Serkis has become a celebrated motion-capture artist. Whether it’s dangerous ring-bearing creatures, gigantic apes or space scavengers, Serkis has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Serkis’ finest strength as an actor has proven his strong commitment to motion-capture technology. He is one of those rare actors that has always had the talents for transforming in larger than life motion-capture characters. Through abilities to portray strong motion-capture characters, Serkis has created a legacy that’s lasting. Although he is arguably best known for his iconic role as Gollum in the Lord of the Rings franchise, Serkis has proven that he can portray wide ranges of commemorated characters. Throughout his long-lasting career, Serkis has produced many memorable movies tackling strong themes which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Serkis and adore films he has made in his career. However, “The Adventures of Tintin” is absolutely my favourite. Released in 2011, Steven Spielberg’s iconic film offered a beautiful tribute towards an iconic comic book. Packed with engaging production design, bold storytelling and engaging acting, it’s one of the finest animated films ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Andy Serkis, who embodies a ship captain enduring barriers which perish. Ultimately, what makes “The Adventures of Tintin” a classic film is its universal appeal. Unlike most animated movies targeted toward children only, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. A breathtaking animated classic, there are many reasons why “The Adventures of Tintin” is a movie which is worth seeing.
“The Adventures of Tintin” tells the story of a young reporter embarking on an adventure to discover ships. Jamie Bell portrays Tintin, an intrepid young reporter with love for adventure. Tintin’s curiosity to explore the world has often led him on adventures across the world facing tragedy. However, Tintin’s life forever changes when he embarks on an adventure to discover treasure. Assisted by his longtime companion Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis), Tintin strives to explore a terrifying world causing adversity. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Tintin begins to wonder whether it’s possible to locate treasure. Questioning his place, Tintin is forced to face the fact that he may not be able to embark on adventures that he had grown to embrace.
Steven Spielberg has always been fascinated with tales of adventure. A legendary filmmaker, Spielberg has often made entertaining movies about adventure. His iconic film “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” captured lives of archaeologists searching for lost arks with a shining spark. With “The Adventures of Tintin”, however, the filmmaker produced his first ever animated film. It was the filmmaker’s first ever attempt to pay tribute towards an iconic comic book’s legacy but he succeeded tremendously. Using stunning animation, Spielberg captures a young reporter whom working on a perilous journey. Spielberg expertly uses point of view shots capturing hardships that reporters are facing. For instance, POV shots enhance the adventure scene. During this heartfelt scene, Tintin is first introduced to a world in which he seeks to venture. POV shots are tricky to use in films. As Peter Jackson’s “King Kong” claimed clearly, POV shots enhance movies about the lives of monstrous apes. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Spielberg captures reporters embarking on adventures that are frightening.
Another admirable aspect of “The Adventures of Tintin” that deserves appreciation is the set design. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Spielberg successfully uses motion-capture technology to create an entertaining adventure. For instance, motion-capture enhances the ship discoveries scene. During this unforgettable scene, Tintin finally discovers the ship after searching for several years. Through breathtaking motion-capture, Spielberg created an animated movie which is entertaining. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. John Williams’ music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which explorers on painful adventures bear. Through strong production, Spielberg honours a comic book about explorers embarking on an intense mission.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “The Adventures of Tintin” is an animated film that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture the tensions that explorers are facing. Throughout the film, Tintin’s bold monologues showcase the tensions that he is facing. For instance, dramatic monologues enhance the farewell scene. During this memorable scene, Tintin bids emotional farewell towards Captain Haddock following the end of their adventure. Through bold dramatic monologues, Spielberg created a portrait of explorers audiences can easily relate to. Dramatic monologues are not easy to use in movies. As Matt Reeves’ “War for the Planet of the Apes” claimed, dramatic monologues enhance films about apes. That being said, it works tremendously in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Spielberg honours a commemorated animated comic which is beloved today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Andy Serkis delivers one of his greatest career performances as Captain Haddock. Serkis first earned appreciations for playing creatures in fantasy films. With “The Adventures of Tintin”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a captain embarking on an adventure causing adversity but he pulled it off successfully. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Serkis excels at creating characters through motion-capture, and “The Adventures of Tintin” proves his strengths as an actor. Through captivating motion-capture, Serkis caprices the anxieties, grief and troubles that a captain on adventure is facing. It’s a phenomenal performance from a beloved actor.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Andy Serkis, the supporting cast is superb and also worthy of appreciation. Jamie Bell is brilliant, capturing the curiosities of a reporter with stories to tell in a profession where he is driven to excel. Daniel Craig is captivating, and brings gravitas to a sailor that embarks on an adventure that’s painful. Lastly, Simon Pegg is worthy of appreciation. As a comical sailor, he brings hilarious comical relief towards the film.
Finally, “The Adventures of Tintin” would earn the appreciation of everyone for honouring a comic about adventure. Unlike most animated movies, the film tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. It discusses relevant themes including ambition, mental health and trauma that would resonate among everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the renowned comic book to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message about adventure that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Adventures of Tintin” is one of those rare animated films that everyone would adore.
Fans of Andy Serkis would definitely recognize “The Adventures of Tintin” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A bold blockbuster about adventure, it honours a motion-capture actor.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about reporters embarking upon a dangerous adventure, it’s riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy through his abilities to portray compelling motion-capture characters in unforgettable movies which audiences treasure.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 