The Boxtrolls

As we have recently entered one of the two film dead zones of the calendar year--the other being from Jan.1st-May 1st, there is an occasional gem thrown in to keep our attention on that movie screen. That gem is in the setting of "The Boxtrolls" which is a fun-filled, fantastical joyride for all to see.

This speaks of a community of quirky, mischievous creatures who have lovingly raised an orphan boy named Eggs (Isaac Hempstead Wright) in the amazing home they've built beneath the streets of a city called Cheesebridge. The story is about Eggs being raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors who tries to save his friends from an evil exterminator, basically the town's villain, Archibald Snatcher (Ben Kingsley). When Snatcher comes up with a plot to rid the town of The Boxtrolls--he receives the coveted 'white hat' from Lord Portley-Rind (Jared Harris) for doing so, Eggs decides to venture above ground and "into the light" where he meets and teams up with assertive, feisty Winnie (Elle Fanning). Together, they devise a daring plan to save The Boxtrolls Family.

Others to round out the cast are Nick Frost, Richard Ayoade and Tracy Morgan as Mr. Trout, Mr. Pickles and Mr. Gristle, respectively, henchmen of Snatcher, Dee Bradley Baker as Fish/Wheels/Bucket, Steve Blum as Shoe/Sparky, Nika Futterman as Oil Can/Knickers, Pat Fraley as Fragile/Sweets, Fred Tatasciore as Clocks/Specs, Simon Pegg as Herbert Trubshaw, Toni Collette as Lady Portley-Rind and Maurice LaMarche as Sir Langsdale.

This was directed with grit, pathos and poignancy by Graham Annable (Shorts) and Anthony Stacchi ("Open Season" (co-dir.) '06). Considering these guys haven't sat in that director's chair very much, these two were amazing. Every character's feelings were incredibly well delineated. It was equally well scripted by Irena Brignull and Adam Pava based on the delicious children's story, "Here Be Monsters" by Alan Snow. With such a great story, how could these writers possibly go wrong? The way that this showed us that monsters aren't monsters just because they're ugly was amazing. Monsters are what goes on in the heart, not necessarily the external, and this was made crystal clear all in an entertaining and artful way. Even if the message doesn't grab you, the Claymation animation will. This was created by Laika Entertainment ("Coraline" '09 and "ParaNorman" '12), and was just as creative as its predecessors.

This fantastic story is one for all who like a fun-filled, high-energy, adventurous tale for the young as well as for the young at heart all in a rollicking 3D format to make that roller coaster ride that much more eventful. Kudos to all who had anything to do with this production!

Out of 4 Stars: 4                             Rated: PG                             97mins.