Tintin Hits Big at AFI Fest Closing Night
Kris Tapley at In Contention called Steven Spielberg’s Tintin “handily one of the best films of the year”:
Steven Spielberg’s “The Adventures of Tintin” closed out AFI Fest this evening, a real coup for the festival and for Paramount Pictures (who are still well over a month away from release stateside). And the film is a dazzling experience, full of Spielberg’s trademark cinematic energy. It’s his best film in nearly a decade (since “Minority Report,” at least).
…
For me, this film put a smile on my face and kept it there. It’s Spielberg invigorated, the performance-capture and animation process allowing him to do things with the camera that he had only dreamed of, conjuring angles and set-pieces that surely have existed only in his head for decades but now have the freedom to run wild on the screen.
Many who saw it felt likewise, as this piece in Moviefone runs down:
“‘Tintin’ is great!” wrote Movieline’s Jen Yamato. “Feels so much more like ‘Raiders [of the Lost Ark]‘ than ‘Captain America’ ever did.”
“Snowy 4ever!!” tweeted an excited Devin Faraci from Badass Digest, referring to Tintin’s trusty dog Snowy.
Thompson on Hollywood proprietor Anne Thompson agreed with both Yamato and Faraci, but noted that the film didn’t hold together for its running time. “‘Tintin’ is great-looking fun, and Snowy is the star. Amazing camera work in the digital environment. But it runs out of narrative steam.”
My own problems with TinTin are irrelevant — it doesn’t matter what I personally think when it comes to Oscar Watching. It matters what everyone else thinks. This is one of the important lessons I’ve learned in the 13 years of doing this. The Oscars would have turned out very differently over the years if it mattered what I thought. At any rate, there is one great scene in TinTin – which is filled with thrilling action sequences like you might see in a great video game. But the only time I felt Spielberg running through it (did he actually direct it or did he direct other people to direct it, is what I wonder – he was doing War Horse and is now off doing Lincoln, so…) was when two bottles bobbed up from the sea the way the two barrels bob up in Jaws. One pops up, the other and then they see-saw into the water. I smiled at that. But then I twisted my bracelets, tried to pay attention, wanted it to end so badly. If I’d had an aisle seat I would have walked out because it was clear to me about a 1/3 of the way in that the story was never going to develop and that nothing was going to happen, particularly, except this set piece and that set piece. I contrast this film with Hugo, which, I think is so carefully done — that even though some people might find fault with its story, there is no denying that you connect with the characters at some point, on some level and that you care what happens to them. Also, the way Scorsese directs 3-D for the first time is nothing short of dazzling.
I understand that many seem to feel that way about TinTin and not that way about Hugo. I guess we’re just different people with different tastes. But I can’t write off TinTin as an animated film contender. Too many people seem to really like it and it will make bank.
However, there are animated films to contend with already — I saw one, Arthur Christmas, which I thought was wonderful. But there is Rango, Cars 2, Happy Feet 2, Puss and Boots — yes, all but Rango are sequels and TinTin is not (but soon to be). Still, Steven Spielberg making an animated film for the first time? Seems kind of crazy it won’t get in.
The best thing about TinTin is watching your typical Spielberg action sequences play out. Some of them are truly dazzling. If you’ve ever taken the Simpson’s ride at Universal Studios you’ll have an idea of what this film is kind of like: non-stop action, non-stop happenings from point A to point z, all over the globe, dizzying effects, no down time. I think for many of today’s audiences, especially those who’ve grown up in an age of video games, it will satisfy that itch for things to move, move, move. Hugo is kind of the opposite of this – it moves slowly, takes its time, and the action scene serve the story. In TinTin, the story seems to only be there to serve the action.
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This is what I wrote under Kris’s review and I’ll write it here as well.
Loved loved loved it.
It should be in contention for Best Score, Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing, Best Visual Effects, Best Editing, Best Picture, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography (why not if Avatar even won it), Best Adapted Screenplay and most of all Best Director.
The chase scene is the greatest directorial achievement of Spielberg’s career.
You do realize of course that Spielberg directed the film three years ago on the motion capture stage, mapped out storyboards before hand, and then sent it over to the animators, and then gave notes on all sequences and edited the film with Michael Kahn. To say “(did he actually direct it or did he direct other people to direct it, is what I wonder – he was doing War Horse and is now off doing Lincoln, so…)” is shameful and disrespectful. It’s fine to dislike the film, perfectly fine in fact, but don’t piss on Spielberg in that way.
“did he actually direct it or did he direct other people to direct it, is what I wonder” – That made my day Sasha.
Sean, I’m being as kind as I can possibly be. I grew up with Spielberg. I can quote Jaws backwards and forwards. I’ve seen E.T., Close Encounters too many times to count. He is one of my favorite directors. I know his work very well. I even liked A.I. And I can tell you with a certainty that is not the Spielberg I know. The Spielberg I know cares about telling a story too, in addition to the effects. There was no story here. Just a video game. A well done, rapid-fire video game. If you are going to call me shameful and disrespectful I’m going to be honest about what I really thought about the movie. But because I respect him, as well as the other people on board with this project, I’m trying to be as nice as possible. That was a genuine question – did he direct it or did he phone it in.
Oh I didn’t take it that Sasha was pissing on Spielberg. She’s said before she likes his films. You dont have to like every one. I’m probably one of Spielbergs biggest fans, but when it comes to animated films in general, I think they are more collaborative, then director driven. At least in the general sense. I’m not trying to sound snobby or anything, but I certainly can see the Academy thinking like that as well.
Sasha go ahead and tear it apart in another post. I am always game for a good pan, even though I like a film. Give us the load, tell us what you really thought.
I’ve already saw it. It was released in my country last week. I was very disappointed with it.
Oh good Lord, if Spielberg and Scorsese knock Potter out with their children’s films I’m gonna scream!!!
Nick: He directed with the same camera Cameron used. He did all the camerawork himself. Either way, the notion that animation directors aren’t as important as regular ones is silly. Live action directing is just as collaborative.
I loved it. Agree that it runs out of narrative steam somewhat – by the last scene, it felt somewhat redundant. Still, I adored the rest of the film, far more than I had expected and, unlike you Sasha, I was disappointed when it ended! I could have had another 20 minutes!
I can’t wait to see this. Hopefully it makes up for Kingdom of the Crystal Ass.
Oh no, can’t believe Sasha didn’t really like Tintin – thought it was brimming with Spielberg touches
I would love to see it get an art direction nomination – thought it was stunning to look at!
I thought it was excellent. If Tintin is elibible for Animated Feature, expect it to win. Only Rango could spoil that.
For the win – I don’t see many other categories going its way, though.
Yeah, and the African chase scene that everybody is talking about. That alone should bring it an Animation Oscar.
Tintin is what Spielberg has been doing in the chunk of time between Indy 4 and now. The years of post-production required for a project like this is why it and War Horse are coming out just days apart.
The chase scene in Morocco is one of the greatest action sequences ever, easily topping anything in the Indiana Jones films. Sasha, if you say there is no story, blame Herge, as this is one of the most faithful adaptations yet made. I grew up reading TINTIN. He stayed true to the spirit of the graphic novel. But I grant you your opinion. I just don’t understand how you could want to walk out in a film this exciting? This is Spielberg at his whimsical best.
Chase scene in Morocco? Are we talking about Inception?
Haven’t seen it yet (really looking forward to it) but no chase scene will ever beat the desert truck chase from Raiders. It is, unequivocally, the best action sequence ever produced.
That said, can’t wait to see Tin Tin. I need me some fun adventure time!
I knew the divided between US and European critics would be wider than the pool of water between them. Too bad, for this is a great popcorn ride. People are just too brainwashed by Bay and Co. to notice, I suppose.
that’s TinTin – non-stop flow.
I love that you didn’t like this movie, because everything I see lately is drooling over it. I haven’t even seen it yet; it’s just nice to get a fresh perspective.
If any of you are super eager to see this and cant wait til december, movie25 has the whole movie and i watched it! Its pretty good!
Jake G – Sorry but nothing will beat the experience of seeing it on the big screen!
(Although during my screening I did have an annoying child next to me who was too young for the film!!)
I couldn’t agree more Sasha! I lost interest around the time they hit the desert and the story just dragged on from there. I couldn’t wait for it to end.
I’m looking forward to seeing Tintin much more than War Horse, which I know Spielberg has made in his more serious mode. I like his lighter mode.
BTW, it’s Puss in Boots, not Puss and Boots.
Just watched it – didn’t think it was particularly great; I thought it kind of let Herge, Tintin, Snowy and the rest of them down. Most seem to disagree, however, but I believe it’s definitely one of the weakest movies I’ve watched this year.
saw it 2 times
def the most exciting animated movie this year. This & Rango definitely should be nominated!
I really think Cars 2 was the best animated film I have seen this year! The animation in Cars 2 was way more impressive than TinTin and the story in Cars 2 isnt as bad as everyone says it is!
Good grief Sasha, get the name of the film right, for heaven’s sake. It’s Tintin, not TinTin, or Tin Tin or any other weird iteration.
Agreed that it could have been a bit longer. For those of us who know nothing about “Tintin”, I would have liked a bit more back story, before launching us into this adventure/mystery. While the chase scenes were breathtaking, I always felt one step behind…no emotional connection. A visually stunning feat, though.
I agree with Sasha’s critique of the film. The entire plot gets put into motion by a chance encounter with Tintin and the bad guy and from that point on there’s nothing that motivates the action other than Tintin trying to escape each action set piece he gets thrown into. There are a couple dazzling action sequences but that’s about it… and I don’t think there’s one still camera shot in the entire thing. The whole thing is just headache-inducing and rather pointless. Really UN-like any other Spielberg movie.