THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN

(PG) 107 mins

Director: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost

AS A Tintin fan since I was a young lad, I did approach this film with a certain trepidation. I shouldn’t have worried - the movie confirms Spielberg is a genius.

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His use of performance capture and 3D make this as true to creator Herge’s original concept as seems possible.

Herge produced the Tintin books during the 1930s and 40s and many of a certain generation will recall the animated series shown on TV during the early 1960s.

Spielberg’s version has the actors digitally enhanced to look exactly like their characters.

So messrs Frost and Pegg are Thomson and Thompson, even though they have no physical similarities whatsoever to their roles.

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And the director’s use of 3D is spot-on, creating some memorable scenes.

The movie uses elements from 2-3 original books as Tintin (Bell), the intrepid reporter, tracks down the secret of the galleon Unicorn, and Red Rackham’s treasure.

He meets Captain Haddock (Serkis) and battles with the evil Sakharine (Craig).

The rapport between Tintin and Haddock is crucial in the books and Bell and Sirkis are excellent, capturing the books’ humour perfectly.

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The action is amazing with some quite brilliant chase sequences, but the attention to detail is also very impressive, with clever use of lighting and some spot-on camera work.

There’s not many films that I would say you definitely must see on a big screen, but this is one of them.

And for fans’ delight, the movie sets up a natural sequel.

five out of five stars

Steve Payne

Screening courtesy of Cineworld Crawley

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