Herge's young hero with a ginger quiff gets the big screen treatment from two Hollywood heavyweights Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson. First up to direct is Spielberg with Jackson as Producer (Jackson has just confirmed he will be directing the sequel) of the planned trilogy of films.Uniting elements from Herge volumes The Crab with the Golden Claws, The Secret of the Unicorn and Red Rackham's Treasure, valiant Belgian reporter (with the English accent of Jamie Bell) Tintin, along with brainy dog Snowy, is on the trail of a lost family fortune. Along for the ride is new best friend Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis) who is somehow involved in the history of the lost treasure.
It was Jackson who was the big Tintin fan from a young age. Spielberg got addicted to the stories after a French reporter likened The Raiders Of The Lost Ark to an adventure that Tintin could've quite easily had. Herge himself said that if anyone could make a Tintin movie, it would be Spielberg. Whether your a fan of Motion capture or not, Spielberg is back to his best after the disappointment of Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull. Spielberg has brought Tintin to life using the same tricks of the trade that has made him one of the best directors around. Visually dazzling from the cut-out cartoon opening sequence (very similar to Catch Me If You Can) to the breathless action, Spielberg turns a smart script (co-written by Edgar Wright, Joe Cornish and Steven Moffat) into a rollicking high-adventure film.The performance capture is at its best here and is far from the 'Dead-Eyes' of Robert Zemeckis' Polar Express. Through Spielberg's direction, Tintin has bags of charm, warmth and the illusion of life with these characters Herge created.
Jamie Bell does well as Tintin giving him a neutral British accent and boyish charm. His face is handsome (in a blank look kind of way), with the iconic hair that is as famous as Superman's cape or Indiana's fedora. Most people know that Tintin is the straight guy, with Haddock being the funny man. Andy Serkis again proves he is the king of Motion capture. Playing Haddock, Serkis gives the movie its heart and the funnier moments in the film.
Away from Haddock the film isn't as funny. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost do well as Thompson and Thompson, providing the slapstick comedy fans of the comics will be familiar with, but unfortunately they don't always strike gold with the material given to them.
Motion Capture films these days wouldn't be complete without a chase sequence and Tintin doesn't disappoint, producing a scene that is truly spectacular and one of the best action sequences you'll see this year. That scene in particular shows Spielberg is firing on all cylinders. The pace throughout is very fast and you'll do well to keep up with it. The film wants you to join in and enjoy the adventure and you would have to be a moody chap (or lady) not to want to jump on board.
With its dizzying spectacle and fast-paced action, The Adventures Of Tintin is top notch entertainment that's enjoyable for the whole family.
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