As far as I’m concerned, the folks over at the animation house Laika Entertainment are 4 for 4. They entered the feature-film world with CORALINE, directed by the great Henry Selick, based on the book by Neil Gaiman; continued with the charming zombie children’s story PARANORMAN; and positively killed it with 2014’s THE BOXTROLLS. Now the folks at Laika have moved into a slightly different realm, although one that still contains their usual dark, scary, and supernatural elements, but in a much different context.
Directed by Laika CEO Travis Knight, KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS is about a young, one-eyed boy living in Japan with his deeply depressed (and likely mentally ill) mother, who sets him on a mission to find a magic suit of armor once worn by his samurai father and use it (and his enchanted shamisen—a three-stringed guitar-like instrument) to defeat evil spirits who seem bent on defeating him and taking his other eye. The film is, at times, quite emotionally powerful, often suspenseful, and features some of the most stunning stop-frame animation (enhanced with CG work, as well) that you have ever seen. Period.
It also features some fantastic voice work from Charlize Theron (as a monkey–what else); Ralph Fiennes, Rooney Mara (as a pair of scary sisters), George Takei, Matthew McConaughey (as a former samurai, who might be mostly bug), and young Art Parkinson (who played Rickon Stark on “Game of Thrones”) as Kubo. For those of you disappointed by most of what you’ve seen so far this summer, KUBO is here to save the season, at least in terms of quality and artistry.
And it just so happens I have seats for an advance Chicago screening for Ain’t It Cool News readers of KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS, on Tuesday, August 9 at 7:00pm, with a post-screening Q&A with director (and Laika Entertainment CEO) Travis Knight at a theater in Chicago (the exact location will only be given to the winners). Here’s how to win…
To win, send me an email at KuboChicago@aintitcoolmail.com (please note the new email address) with the subject line “Gently Weeps” (exactly like that). In the body of the email, I need your full Name, if you are bringing a guest (each winner may bring ONE, confirmed guest--if I think you gave your extra ticket to someone trolling for free tickets at the theater, you won't get in), and the answer to the following question: “What’s the most moving animated film you’ve ever seen, and why?” I need the film title and a detailed reason for your choice. Keep your responses BRIEF--no more than 100 words (no matter how tempted you are to go over the limit). Best answers (as judged by me) win, and you'll hear from me very soon if you won, so check your email over the weekend.
Although this is not an exclusive Ain't It Cool News event, winners’ seats will be reserved until 30 minutes before showtime (meaning 6:30pm). The venue is deliberately overbooked to guarantee a full house for our guest. If you can't arrive by 6:30pm, don't enter this contest. If you show up at the last minute, there is no guarantee that your seats will be good or there at all. If there's even the slightest chance you or your guests will have to back out of attending or arrive late if you do win, don't enter. If you have a job that might make you late or unable to attend, or an ill/pregnant relative, or a temperamental significant other, or a scratchy throat, do not enter. And the 24-hour-notice-to-cancel rule is done. If you win and don't show up, the Black List is your new best friend.
Good luck, everyone! And thanks to the Focus Features and Laika Entertainment for giving us this very cool screening and bringing this awesome guest to Chicago.
