In a previous blog I'd already nominated it as a potential 'film of the year' and it has now not only lost nothing of that status, but my appreciation of it has been enhanced. Visually, it really is quite extraordinary - and that has got to be its major achievement. The story has its sentimental passages for sure, particularly in the first half hour and towards the end, but it doesn't drown in pathos. I was also more attentive to Howard Shore's music score this time and, I have to say, it's pretty good without being ostentatiously distracting (though, perhaps, using Saint-Saens' 'Danse Macabre' a tad too much.). Even though in the story-telling I knew what was going to happen I was gripped all over again - and actually looking forward to seeing certain of the set pieces, this time jumping out in relief. I wasn't disappointed. I've seen half a dozen films in 3D in this latest resurrected wave of film fashion, and 'Hugo' is easily the most remarkable - in fact I'd say the only one so far which fully justifies being it being in that format, even though it holds up excellently in 2D too.
As I just caught it on what was probably a final opportunity to see it on a cinema screen in 3D I would urge anyone who hasn't yet seen it, even if it's only showing in 'normal', to catch this totally magical film. Can't understand why it wasn't thought merit-worthy enough to carry off a single one of the major awards at the Oscars and the BAFTAs. I wouldn't be surprised if, in years to come, 'Hugo' is going to be considered a landmark film, for visual effects if nothing else. Superb!
Btw: The only other films of the last decade which I've seen twice in the cinema - 'Mamma Mia!', 'Inception' and 'Chicago'. Doesn't mean that I thought these were the best films of recent years, though obviously I liked them. However, what they do have in common is that they stand up well to repeated viewing.
I LOVED Huge on the second viewing. (Both were in 2D on DVD). Like homemade soup, it got better with age. After reading your wonderful review, I'm interested in seeing it a third time if only to concentrate on the score.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of scores, another blogger bud, Blobby, got me thinking about the George Lucas film "The Empire Strikes Back" so I watched it again. And once again I have to say that the John Williams score for that film is nothing less than brilliant. It's funny the effect a good score can have on a film.
Cubby, I'm quite sure that you'd have liked it even more in 3D, but even on small screen 2D, as you've seen it, it's not surprising that it has enough power coming through to show it as something very special. The next time I see it will be on the TV screen - but I'm already looking forward to it.
DeleteI'm often attentive to film scores - because they might grate (as, for me, in 'The Help') or they are complimentary to the visuals without demanding the ears' attention - and 'Hugo' has a good score.
John Williams has indeed written some classic soundtracks, no argument about that, and certainly more familiar to great numbers than that of any other film composer. However, I'm not myself such a great fan of his. There is a 'sameness' in his main fanfare themes - the Star Wars films, Indiana Jones (though I do like his 'Superman') - and, of course, his most iconic of all must be 'Jaws'. I can, though, tolerate him, but for me he comes nowhere near the magnificence of, say, Max Steiner - or the quirkiness of Nino Rota - or the easy tunefulness of Ron Goodwin - or the simple musicality of Stanley Myers.......
When I saw the topic of your post, I became a little nervous. All I could think of what sacrifice did he make to see this and was it worth it? Happily, your second paragraph brought relief. I am so very glad that you feel as I do, that the 3D process made it a thoroughly magical experience. I have to add, and I may be missing the boat, but I believe that the film was made as an homage to films.
ReplyDelete"Mamma Mia" - repeated viewing? What did I miss? I have the DVD next to my player, ready to watch when you tell me what I should look for.
Yes, Paul. 'Hugo' was a homage to the birth of cinema - as much as 'The Artist' was to early pre-talkie films.
DeleteIf it hadn't been for your urging it would have been likely that I'd have missed the chance of seeing this version - and I'm so glad I took it up. Thanks again.
Btw: It was only on this second viewing that I noticed Scorsese's brief cameo role.
'Mamma Mia'? Well, the first requisite is to be an ABBA fan, which I'm assuming you are. What particularly attracted me is that I've always liked to hear established pop 'hits' in versions other than the known ones - this has always been the case with me. I've got hundreds of audio cassettes filled with such, going back decades - but, alas, not properly labelled, so it's always a surprise to hear what comes up when I replay them.
I love to hear all these wonderful ABBA songs in new 'clothing'. I have most of the group's albums, so I knew all the songs anyway, even the two or three in the film which are not that well known. It's only a shame that a couple of songs used in the stage show are cut from the film (I think 'The Name of the Game' was one of them.) But I don't wish to see the live show because I can't abide it when the audience gets up, as everyone is expected to do, and dance along to the songs. I dare say that they'll soon be having 'Sing-a-long with Mamma Mia' screenings before too long, as they now do with 'Sound of Music', 'Wizard of Oz', 'Grease' - and, of course, the show that started it all off, 'Rocky Horror'.
In the 'Mamma Mia' film, I find the story unusual, though laughable, and with a slight gay angle to one of the strands - but, of course, who can take their eyes off dear Meryl?
Ah, I really wanted to see it on the basis that not many live action films have been made for 3D (rather than re-rendered) and the trailers made it look like Scorcese had really thought about the medium - like Cameron does with Avatar.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Paul when it comes to Mamma Mia, though... I loved it on stage back in 1999, but have only seen parts of the film version... Inception, on the other hand is a fantastic film which I am well overdue a second viewing of!
Andrew, I wonder if you might yet get that chance to see 'Hugo' in 3D. The screening I saw was a single special one, at the tail end of its cinema release. If it does come your way I'd definitely say that the effort to catch it would be worthwhile.
DeleteI wonder if when you saw 'Mamma Mia' on stage it had that 'audience participation' element which I so dislike. Maybe 1999 was before audiences started standing up and jiving around, as now seems compulsory - so it looks like I'll never now see it 'live' in a theatre.
Glad you too appreciated 'Inception'. I know some don't. I found it multi-layered, profound and thought-provoking. Definitely in the list of my life's 'Top 50' films - out of 4,300+. If the chance came I'd pay to see it on the cinema screen for a third time!
I saw it very early in it's run - and the audiance participation was very much a part of the fun of it. Especially at the end when they cam back on for the encore/concert!
ReplyDeleteAs for inception - we still agree, as we did at the time: http://oneexwidow.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/inception-high-concept-heist-film.html
I take it, then, that you too got on your feet and went 'jiggy', if only for the encores? (I'm trying to visualise you doing it!) Sorry, but I'm too buttoned-up to join in. I do envy those who can let their hair down but if it then spoils one's enjoyment of what's happening on stage I resent it.
Delete'Inception' - Sorry, I'd forgotten that you'd done your own blog and what I myself had said about it before. Great film, though - and wouldn't it have been even more jaw-dropping in 3D? - though I hope they aren't now getting any ideas of re-formatting it as they've done for 'Titanic'.
Wow. I am never interested in 3D films, since the few times I've seen one it's been all about the technology and the film/story is forgotten. This is a great recommendation and I look forward to trying it out!
ReplyDeleteI do hope you manage to see it, Mitch, and I'll be completely surprised if you're disappointed, Even in 2D it looks amazing - and I've yet to hear from anyone who disliked it even in 'normal' film terms. Good luck!
DeleteIt has been on my viewing list for some time.
ReplyDeleteExceedingly worthwhile, Dr Spo. There haven't been many films which come even close to Hugo's extraordinary visuals.
Delete