"Hugo" is a visually stunning film that is sure to charm every member of the family. Based on the book "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick, director Martin Scorsese ("The Departed," "Shutter Island") surprises audiences with a cinematic experience that diverts from the crime-drama genre he is known for.
Twelve-year old Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield) lives in a Paris train station in the 1930s. His mother is dead and his father (Jude Law) teaches him the mechanics of machinery. He also introduces Hugo to his favorite movies, those of French filmmaker Georges Méliès.
Hugo's father then tragically dies in a fire, and Hugo's uncle, Claude Cabret (Ray Winstone), takes custody of Hugo and teaches him his trade—maintaining the clocks in the railway station. However, Claude's alcoholic tendencies lead him to disappear. Hugo has to fend for himself, scavenging for food in the busy terminal. He works the clock during the day and sleeps in it at night, causing trouble for Inspector Gustav (Sacha Baron Cohen), though Hugo eludes capture.
The young Hugo devotes himself to fixing a machine his father left behind, the automaton, a human-like machine that is supposed to be able to write. Hugo steals the missing parts from locations around the train station until he is caught by mean shop owner Papa Georges (Ben Kingsley). Papa Georges' goddaughter, Isabelle (Chloe Grace Moretz), befriends Hugo and decides to help him in his restorative quest. As events unfold, they discover a surprising connection with each other and a grand discovery is made.
Butterfield delivers a convincing and believable performance as an orphan who only wishes to fulfill his father's dream in order to feel close to him again. His clear-eyed character elicits sympathy and support from the audience, and his friendship with the innocent Isabelle is the driving force of the film.
Scorsese weaves together his love of film and his gift for storytelling, giving "Hugo" depth and life. He uses a new medium in the film, constructing his first 3D masterpiece. For the sake of audiences everywhere, hopefully it won't be his last.
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