Ben Oliver

Now
Banner image for Kubo and the Two Strings
film

Kubo and the Two Strings

If you must blink, do it now.
10 September 2016

A boy in ancient Japan accidentally unleashes evil spirits and embarks on a quest to defeat them, and avenge the death of his mother.

I’ll keep this short. Kubo has some of the warmest, most lovingly crafted art design and animation ever put to screen. The lighting, the motion and the colours are breathtakingly beautiful; the whole room looked on in awe as the film played out.

The plot is deceptively simple, but the screenplay explores themes of love, loss and memory in such a delicate and nuanced manner. It’s still a funny, scary and exciting film, but the downtempo, contemplative tone give you time to sit back and think.

Kubo is a deeply moving, magical experience not to be missed. One of the best films of the year and one of the best animations of the last ten years.