Kubo and the two strings (2016)

	Also Known As: Kubo et l'armure magique, Kubo der tapfere Samurai
	Year of first release: 2016
	Director: Travis Knight
	Actors: -
	Country: USA
	Genre: Animation, Fantasy
	Conditions of visioning: 17.10.2016, Schauburg, OV Sneak Preview, English version without subtitle
Synopsis: Kubo lives a quiet life in a small shoreside village with his mother. He plays music in the village and goes back to his mother before sunset. Until two sisters kill his mother and turn his life upside down by re-igniting an age-old vendetta that he does not understand. This causes all sorts of havoc as gods and monsters chase Kubo who, in order to survive, must locate a magical suit of armor once worn by his late father, a legendary Samurai warrior.
Review: The basis of the story, the two strings of the shamisen (three strings Japanese instrument) is what gives all the charm of the movie. Actually it reminds me a Korean band that I discovered this year, Jambinai, playing a similar instrument. The rest is the typical quest like many Hollywood screenplays, have a couple of enemies that are defeated using new weapons or new features. One thing is not Japanese at all. When Kubo is told by the monkey not to make noise by eating his ramen! It is actually a must to make noise.  Otherwise, the story is effective. The humour is classical for Hollywood animation movie and still fine to have. The main originality and beauty of the movie comes from Kubo playing shamisen. And from the origami stories told by Kubo and his mother. This brings a magical atmosphere to these scenes. I would have liked even more of these!
Rating: 7 /10 The three main characters of Kubo, not really in their best matching scene but good enough