The Adventures of TinTin Review

The Adventures of Tintin are based on the classic comic of the same name by Belgian artist George Remi, who wrote under the name Hergé. The series is widely popular in Europe, the little boy sitting next to me in the screening explained before the movie starts. Paramount and Sony Pictures are hoping that interest will jump across the pond and delight those in the US, unfamiliar with the franchise as well. In fact, if it's a success there are 2 sequels planned.

The movie follows Tintin, a young journalist, and his dog Snowy on an adventure over land, sea and air. Tintin's life is soon turned upside down after purchasing a model of a three-masted sailing ship, the unicorn. Very soon he discovers there is so much more than meets the eye, as people vie for the shipping, going as far as to kill for it. It's up to TinTin to uncover it's mysteries before it's too late.

Steven Speilberg directs the motion-capture film, which isn't as creepy as prvious motion-capture films. Yes, I'm talking about you Polar Express. And it makes fantastic use of the technology. I usually love a live action movie over the motion-capture, but in this case I'm not sure a live-action could have accomplished half of the stunts with a budget any studio could provide it. I'm thinking the crane battle alone would have been a catastophy in a live action movie. And lets face it, few dogs could really do all that Snowy did without endangering him.

It's fun and fast paced, very Indiana Jones, well the first 3, can't say about the last one never saw it. But it may be a little too fast paced at times. With the 3-D, it was too much. I was dizzy with all the action, which for me was a definite negative.

The film covers three of the comics The Crab with the Golden Claws, The Secret of the Unicorn and Red Rackham's Treasure. The script is inventive, the characters enjoyable and it'll charm grown ups, children and everyone in between.

The Adventures of Tintin opens in theaters December 21st, 2011