Hugo, The Movie

We watched Hugo, the movie, last night.
And I have to say, I'm a little disappointed. As is usually the case, the book was a lot better than the movie was. Even though the movie did stay pretty true to the book. But there was just something that was "missing". Something that just "wasn't there".

On the good side, the movie would have been wonderful to see in 3D. I think it was shot with the 3D audience in mind. But, even in regular old 2D, the scenery, the photography was amazing. I could get lost looking at the recreation of 1930's Paris, and the details that went into creating the train station clockworks.

But, on the bad side, I was especially disappointed in the casting. The Train Inspector was played by Sasha Baron Cohen, and I was not impressed. To put him beside such greats as Christopher Lee, and Ben Kingsley was horrible. I don't dislike him because of his controversial roles that he chooses to do. I dislike him because I don't think the guy can act. So, I was not impressed.

While the movie did stay pretty close to the storyline of the book, they did add a few extra characters, and embellished the existing characters. Even added a bit of "romantic" encounters with people in the train station... sort of side stories to the main story. I can see why... it was Paris after all... the most romantic of cities. But, the added side-stories and characters did little to enhance the overall movie.

Over-all, it seemed long and drawn-out. It got great reviews and won all kinds of awards, so I was surprised that I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. And maybe that's the problem. Maybe my expectations were too high.