The Boxtrolls (2014)

Most big animated movies you watch now are computer generated. There aren’t a lot of studios anymore who still animate by hand, simply because computer animation gives more possibilities and the market has proved that those type of movies are more successful. Fortunately there are still some studios who prove differently. Of course when it comes to animation Studio Ghibli is still showing the heights this format can rise to.

When it comes to stop animation than most people will probably first think of the studio who is responsible for Wallace & Grommit and Shaun the Sheep, Aardman Animations, who definitely make enjoyable films. But to me it is Laika studios who is the current emperor in this arena. The Boxtrolls is just their third movie, but with Coraline and ParaNorman they have already proven themselves worthy. With this movie they raise the bar again.

Eggs (Isaac Hempstead Wright) is a boy who was raised underground by the boxtrolls. These monsters are named liked that because they always wear boxes (which they also use to hide in). The live under the city of Cheesebridge, where people are afraid for them, which means that exterminator Archibald Snatcher (Ben Kingsley) can realise his promise to get rid of them all. The reason he wants to do this is because he wants a white hat, which allows him a seat at the table in city hall where he can eat cheese with others. His plan is going great until he catches the Fish, who is like a father figure for Eggs. He decided to go above ground to find and free the box trolls. He does so with the unexpected help of Winnie (Elle Fanning). Will he be able to stop the evil Archibald Snatcher?

Laika really impresses again with this film. The scale on which the movie takes place is bigger and the amount of detail that is put into this world is exquisite. The result is a beautiful, believable world which is inhabited by believable characters. Even though most of it has been made by hand and animated frame by frame, some CG elements have been added. The thing is though that you won’t notice for a moment (only found out in a making of).

The movie has a unique look, which makes it stand out. The story is a lot of fun and manages to find the right balance between fun and tension making it interesting for both young and old. Laika still is at the top of their game and even if you can’t enjoy the story there are enough impressive visuals to watch it for that alone.