In 7 words or less: Orphaned Boy Fixes Robot Which Fixes Man.
What's it all About? Hugo loved fixing things with his Father. Now an Orphan living in the the walls of a railway station in Paris keeping the clocks running on time so that no one discovers he's there, Hugo steals parts to complete the automaton which he and his Father were building before he died. All the while hiding from the watchful eye of the Station Guard (Sacha Baron Cohen).
Best bits? All the stuff that doesn't play out in the trailer about Georges Méliès and his life as one of the first film makers. It's absolutely gorgeous. It mirrors his life in quite a bit of detail including a recreation of his glasshouse studio.
Sacha Baron Cohen's Station Guard is dubious at first, but there is a lot of depth to his character by the end and he adds a nice comic edge throughout. You'll like him by the end despite his cockney accent. Chloë Moretz is great also as the Grandaughter (?) of Méliès. She plays it like a good Hermione Granger. There is also a richness in the other character of the train station. There's a lot of comfort in revisiting these people each day the film goes by. In a Hey! Arnold! kind of way.
There are so many good things about this, from the design of the behind/above/below the station sets. The mystery of the Automaton. The flashbacks to Méliès creating his films and the heartwarming ending to name a few. So be prepared to have some tissues at the ready at the end. Sadly I didn't see this in 3D, the dark glasses would really help.
Did it make you think thoughts? It's a proper kids film! Incredible! It doesn't rely on CG or mind numbing, well, anything. It's a sweet, story told to the already incredible life of Méliès from the perspective of a child. I'll be sad is Scorsese stops making family films after this.
Would you watch it again? I could probably watch this on any Sunday afternoon. I'll give this multiple views and the Blu Ray will sit proudly in my collection.
Rating (out of 100%): 90% A family film with only good intent with the sensibilities of classic cinema.
