I’ve been a fan of Tintin ever since I was little kid, so much so that the TV show is in my DVD collection and all the Graphic Novels have a home on my book shelf. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I was eagerly awaiting The Adventures Of Tintin, and while I was blown away by the animation I can’t help but feel that the film dragged a little.
The film takes stories from three of Herge’s books (The Secret Of The Unicorn, The Crab With The Golden Claws and Red Rackham’s Treasure) and starts with Tintin (Jamie Bell – Jane Eyre, Retreat) and of course, Snowy finding a model ship in a market. After Tintin purchases it he finds out that Ivanovich Sakharine (Daniel Craig – Dream House, Cowboys & Aliens) is willing to do anything to get his hands on it – things including kidnapping Tintin and taking over the ship of Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis – Arthur Christmas, Wild Bill). While Haddock and Tintin try to find the treasure left behind by the Unicorn two detectives, Thompson (Simon Pegg – Paul, Burke & Hare) and Thomson (Nick Frost – Attack The Block, Paul) begin a search for Sakharine.
It may sound like a big called but The Adventures of Tintin has the best visuals of any animated film that I have ever seen. Director, Steven Spielberg (A Timeless Call, Indiana Jones & The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull) really takes the technology that James Cameron was supposed to have perfected with Avatar and takes it to a whole new level. So realistic is the animation in The Adventures Of Tintin there are times when it really feels that you are watching real action.
Unfortunately the script sadly lets down what could have been one of the best films ever made. It feels like Spielberg really has tried to pack too much into the film. While the Indiana Jones style desert action and the Pirates Of The Carribbean-esque sea battles work remarkably well (and at times have you on the edge of your seat), the films does seem to drag… something a film that is only 107 minutes long certainly shouldn’t do.
Performance wise the actors are top notch, although I still believe that Simon Pegg would have made a great Tintin (am I alone in believing that there is a physical resemblance there?). Jamie Bell does a great job but even he is overshadowed by Andy Serkis as Captain Haddock. The drunken buffoon is of the character that is most memorable and Serkis brings the character to life remarkably well.
When Oscar night comes around it should be a foregone conclusion that The Adventure Of Tintin will pick up ‘Best Animated Film’. Just keep in mind that while the film is a visual masterpiece the story can lag a little… even for the most hardened Tintin fan. Visually, this is one of the best animated films ever made… and for the ones that love trivia Spielberg’s first animated film!
Year: 2011
Director: Steven Spielberg
Stars: Jamie Bell, Daniel Craig, Andy Serkis, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost
Classification: PG
Runtime: 107 mins
Rating: 
Out on DVD/Blu-Ray 25th April 2012