'Tintin' reviews (THR, VAR, TOH, TELE, SCR)

By Nancy Tartaglione-Moore

The first reviews of Steven Spielberg's "Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn" are in. Below is a round-up.

The Hollywood Reporter calls the film "a good ol' fashioned adventure flick that harkens back to the filmmaker's action-packed, tongue-in-cheek swashbucklers of the 1980s."

The first part of a trilogy produced by Spielberg and Peter Jackson, is a "kid-friendly thriller" that "combines state-of-the-art 3D motion capture techniques with a witty, globe-trotting treasure hunt featuring the sleuthing boy reporter, his trustee fox terrier, and a cast of catchy side characters," THR continues.

Variety also points to "a rollicking return to action-adventure form."

VAR:

Clearly rejuvenated by his collaboration with producer Peter Jackson, and blessed with a smart script and the best craftsmanship money can buy, Spielberg has fashioned a whiz-bang thrill ride that's largely faithful to the wholesome spirit of his source but still appealing to younger, Tintin-challenged auds. Pic should do thundering typhoon biz globally, but will whirl especially fast in Europe.

VAR:

The worst that could be said of "The Secret of the Unicorn" is that the action is so relentless, it nearly comes to feel like a videogame as it leaps from one challenge to the next. Younger auds will embrace it more than older ones, although even teens may feel it lacks the kitsch majesty that made "Avatar" such a hit.

The Thompson on Hollywood blog has a report from London-based Matt Mueller who says "the inaugural installment in their planned Tintin trilogy delivers the frolicking, boy's-own-adventure goods in delightful, delirious spades."

TOH:

From frequently breathtaking animated imagery to superb vocal outings by its British cast and a tight screenplay (by Steven Moffat, Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish) that retains the globetrotting charm of Belgian originator Herge's comic-book series, the movie keeps a could-be-confusing plot humming along nicely while adding in dollops of wry, affectionate humour. Tintin is a fine example of what can be achieved when some of cinema’s brightest minds come together to honour great source material.

TOH:

Drawbacks? There are a few. The retro music over the credits is a tease - John Williams swiftly settles into one of his patented adventure-yarn scores that can be almost bombastically annoying at times, often drowning out some of the finer sound-effect detail. Tintin's extreme close-ups are wisely kept to a minimum - he looks a little bit creepy when viewed up close for too long. And Spielberg moves proceedings along at such a ridiculously frantic and breathless pace that you might be suffering from setpiece fatigue by the time the final face-off occurs, or want to scream out, "Slow down this damn rollercoaster!" But Spielberg's determined not to let you off - and when you do finally reach the end, you'll walk away feeling like you've been on one helluva ride. And be ready to go back for more.

While calling it a "perfectly decent animated adventure, comparable to the better output of DreamWorks if perhaps not Pixar," The Telegraph adds: "It's testament to either the genius of Herge or the limitations of computer graphics - or more probably both - that two dots of ink from a Belgian cartoonist's pen can express more wit and artistry than 82 million (pounds) of the best 3D special effects Hollywood can conjure."

TELE:

On its own terms, The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn is a success, although it's debatable whether these are the terms on which every audience member will approach it. As a family-friendly adventure romp it ticks every box, but the unique appeal of the Tintin books does not lie in seeing boxes being ticked.

Screen finds Spielberg and Jackson "bring the character to the screen with much of the books' humour, spirit and sense of adventure intact."

SCREEN:

The Secret Of The Unicorn is a spellbinding cinematic feat which delivers Tintin to a new generation with the same exhilaration as Spielberg and Lucas reinvented the '30s serials in Raiders Of The Lost Ark 30 years ago. It's an example of what the Hollywood system does best - harness the best material, talent and technology in the world and cook it up into unadulterated entertainment for young and old alike. Oh, and it's also glorious in 3D.

**This article was compiled using reports from The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Thompson on Hollywood, The Telegraph and Screen. The original stories can be accessed by clicking the hyperlinks in the text above.