# Kubo and the Two Strings - Great! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 22, 2016, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639 "2016-08-22T15:54:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639/1 "2016-08-22T15:54:13Z")
took the Cub to Kubo and the Two Strings this weekend. Really good, although a bit on the scary side; wouldn’t recommend it for much under 8. At first, I thought it was going to be a bit of a ho-hum standard variant on the quest movie: “young boy of mysterious family origins” -\> “with unusual powers that he gradually discovers” -\> “aided by two quirky companions” -\> “has to retrieve the three pieces of mystical amor and weapons” -\> “to defeat the evil lord” -\> “final climactic battle, as per all Hollywood quest movies” Except the final climactic battle doesn’t turn out the way the quest movies always do. Well worth seeing. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639/2 "2016-08-22T16:03:16Z")
I’ve been keeping an eye on it. Is it a well-done kid’s movie, or a movie for all ages, like a good Pixar movie or Miyazaki or Iron Giant? ---
**Author:** ![Ambrosio\_Spinola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@Ambrosio\_Spinola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambrosio_Spinola)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639/3 "2016-08-22T16:55:28Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > I’ve been keeping an eye on it. Is it a well-done kid’s movie, or a movie for all ages, like a good Pixar movie or Miyazaki or Iron Giant? I wouldn’t take very young children to see it - there a couple of violent battles, some creepy imagery, and they openly discuss death and killing. My 7 year old had to shut her eyes a few times and this wasn’t atypical in the theater we were in. On the whole we all enjoyed it a great deal, though. ---
**Author:** ![UncaStuart](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uncastuart/32/404_2.png) [@UncaStuart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncaStuart)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639/4 "2016-08-22T17:29:40Z")
> [@wordman](#): > > i’ve been keeping an eye on it. iswydt ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2016, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639/5 "2016-08-24T16:16:31Z")
Absolutely incredible! I just saw it last night and the only way I can really describe it is that it was a truly a work of art. Gorgeous stop motion animation (Laika outdid themselves this time) and a wonderful story with some really good twists (some I saw, some I didn’t). It’s definitely a movie for all ages (and older kids at that - the younger ones may have nightmares). I’ve seen Zootopia and Finding Dory this year, but both are way behind Kubo to me. ---
**Author:** ![dada2fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ccd318/32.png) [@dada2fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dada2fish)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2016, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639/6 "2016-08-25T21:36:09Z")
Just got home from seeing this movie with my 6 year old son. He was attentive during the whole movie and followed along the story fairly well. He asked me a few questions during confusing parts. There were two things that were scary to him, but in a “wow! That’s cool!” way. We are big fans of Laika films. We watch ParaNorman and Coraline over and over again during Halloween season. We saw The Boxtrolls at the theater when it first came out and it enjoyed it too. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2016, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639/7 "2016-09-14T11:37:36Z")
I was wondering where the thread was for this and had to search. I saw it with my teenage daughters over the weekend. My younger one has ASD and does not like loud noises but she wanted to see this. The battles did get to her but she loved it so much that she stuck with it. Overall I thought it was brilliant. Unique plot and setting, great look, good writing, good voice acting, nice Beatles cover at the end, not your usual ending. I really can’t think of anything bad about the film. One of the best animated films I’ve seen in a while. Unfortunately it didn’t seem to make much money. Stay to the end of the credits. At least to the end of the animated part. They give a glimpse of how the movie was made. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2016, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639/8 "2016-09-15T19:16:23Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Stay to the end of the credits. At least to the end of the animated part. They give a glimpse of how the movie was made. I had previously edited this post to spoil the quoted material in case it was a big spoiler as reported. After further investigation, stating there is an end scene in a movie does not rise to the level of being a spoiler. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2016, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639/9 "2016-09-15T19:38:30Z")
Absolutely beautiful film, I agree about it being scary for younger kids, but I highly recommend it. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2016, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639/10 "2016-09-15T20:10:44Z")
Saw this a while back. I wish it had gotten more publicity, it is a beautiful and touching and amazing finlm. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2016, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639/11 "2016-09-15T20:28:14Z")
> [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](#): > > Saw this a while back. I wish it had gotten more publicity, it is a beautiful and touching and amazing finlm. I’m at a loss as to why they didn’t give it more of a campaign. I think I saw the trailer once. I don’t know if I ever saw a commercial. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2016, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639/12 "2016-09-15T20:49:54Z")
we also saw it a week or so ago and I concur. Great movie, needs s a little more pub. Laika (the production company) should get a little love. They’re not as well known as Pixar or DreamWorks but they are putting out some quality stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2016, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639/13 "2016-09-15T21:02:53Z")
We enjoyed it too. [sidebar] **Loach** we use earplugs for our ASD kiddos at the movies. My son likes the foam ones you roll up with your fingers. My daughter uses a set that they sell for musicians. We used to actually bring noise protecting headsets, but the earplugs alone seem to work now./sidebar] ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2016, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639/14 "2016-09-17T03:02:49Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I’m at a loss as to why they didn’t give it more of a campaign. I think I saw the trailer once. I don’t know if I ever saw a commercial. Odd - we saw the trailer several times, starting last spring. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639/15 "2016-12-21T07:01:07Z")
I just saw this on bluray. It’s not a kids movie. The imagery is somewhat scary and the story is somewhat sad. Those are complements, in case it’s not clear. Excellent movie by any measure. I’ll be disappointed if it doesn’t get more than one Oscar nomination. It’s going in my bin of movies that I can’t wait to watch with my kids when they’re old enough to handle them. (Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away being at the top.) ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2017, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639/16 "2017-02-12T19:37:29Z")
Finally saw this and really liked it. I have to admit I didn’t realize it was stop motion until the end credits. Without spoiling I will just say I really liked the ending. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbazine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbazine/32/362_2.png) [@Bumbazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbazine)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2017, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639/17 "2017-02-12T21:00:29Z")
The daughter of some good friends of ours worked on this picture and urged her parents to see it, and they of course urged us to see it. It was great! Not a misstep anywhere. Not a movie for little 'ens though. It should be getting more acclaim than it is, but: Merika. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2017, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639/18 "2017-02-13T02:34:03Z")
It’s seems they’re stepping up their Oscar campaigning for it. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2017, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639/19 "2017-02-13T15:11:17Z")
I’ll agree. we missed this when it first came out, but I saw it recently at the Arisia science fiction convention. I hadn’t realized that: a.) It’s mostly stop-motion, not CGI b.) It’s by the same crew that did _Coraline_, another great flick. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2017, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639/20 "2017-02-16T00:11:40Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > It’s seems they’re stepping up their Oscar campaigning for it. They just won the BAFTA, which has usually been a harbinger of good news at the Oscars (though I still suspect the Mouse’s _Zootopia_ is going to win in LA). However, where **Kubo** is a genuine dark horse is in the Visual Effects category, since there is no obvious frontrunner. Fantasy films usually win (unless they’re Best Picture winners), so that puts _Deepwater Horizon_’s odds as long. The last film to win the category with no other nominations was _Death Becomes Her_\* back in 1992, so that is a strike against _Jungle Book_ & _Dr. Strange_ (though they’re still in the running). That leaves **Kubo** and **Star Wars Ep. 3.5**. The last SW film to win here was in 1983, and while the digital Tarkin is an impressive achievement, it is just possible that _Kubo_\* fans may try to concentrate their efforts here since they know their shot against Disney is tough. It also is the best reviewed of the 5 films on RT & Metacritic. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for either or both come Oscar night. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kubo-and-the-two-strings-great/763639.md?page=2)