REVIEW: The Boxtrolls

THE BOXTROLLS
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW

RATED: PG

RUNNING TIME: 96 MINUTES
SCORE: ***** /*****

SPOTLIGHT MOVIE OF THE MONTH - SEPTEMBER 2014

 

PREMISE: (VIA IMDB) THE BOXTROLLS are a community of quirky, mischievous creatures who have lovingly raised an orphaned human boy named Eggs in the amazing cavernous home they've built beneath the streets of a city called Cheesebridge. The story is about a young orphaned boy raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors who tries to save his friends from an evil exterminator, the town's villain, Archibald Snatcher. When Snatcher comes up with a plot to get rid of the Boxtrolls. Eggs decides to venture above ground and "into the light," where he meets and teams up with fabulously feisty Winnie. Together, they devise a daring plan to save The BoxTrolls family. The film is based upon the children's novel 'Here Be Monsters' by Alan Snow.

 

THE PRO'S: It's Lakita - and they make dang good movies. Engaging and imaginative storyline. Good mixture of humor and seriousness. Fun characters. The Boxtrolls are just so much fun to watch. Some great messages at the heart of the film.  

 

THE CON'S: A third act plot twist that felt unnecessary.

 

THE REVIEW:

To be straight-forward, this is yet another masterpiece from the creative minds behind the "Coraline" adaptation and one of my all-time favorite films, "Paranorman". Lakita is a company that never ceases to amaze me with each of its absolutely fantastic films, and I can honestly say I have no dobut it will entice many others as well.

"The Boxtrolls" tells the story of Eggs, a young boy who has been raised from infancy by Fish, a Boxtroll (so named for the boxes they wear over their bodies. Resulting in odd names such as: "Eggs", "Fish", "Bucket", etc). The Boxtrolls, for years, have lived in fear of Archibald Snatcher, a nasty exterminator who is kidnapping them all one-by-one for nefarious purposes and in order to make his way into the above-worlds "ruling" party, "The White Hats". Their terrifying situation takes a turn for the worse when Fish is snatched, sending a devastated Eggs on a rescue mission which puts him in the path of a young rich girl, Winnie, and many other colorful characters.

 

At its heart, The Boxtrolls is a story about learning to embrace who you are. The Boxtrolls are, by all accounts, hated for being different. And as a result, live in fear. And at its core, the movie does a fantastic job of portraying this underlying message. Without giving away any spoilers for those who wish to remain spoiler-free.

 

The cast of characters in this movie are among the most vibrant Lakita has given us. The Boxtrolls are all very animated, funny, and surprisingly well-developed. Fish and Eggs relationship, one of the emotional centerpieces of the film, especially is a very touching and well done storyline. If not easily a show-stealing one.

 

Elle Fanning does a great turn-out here in voicing the adventurous Winnie, who just barely falls short of stealing the show. Second only to The Boxtrolls themselves. While Eggs makes for an excellent, and well-developed protagonist, there is no denying Winnie and The Boxtrolls are what make the movie. With Eggs having his own fun moments, especially when it comes to later in the movie.

 

But while the movie is so fabulously put together, it falls just bellow the company's other masterpiece: Paranorman. And the reason is the only complaint I have: the plot twist in act three. I won't spoil it, or even hint as to what it is. But a part of me liked it, and a part of me thought it was just so totally unnecessary. The movie would have likely benefited from nixing it all-together.

 

That being said, don't let this one minor deal fool you, The Boxtrolls is a masterpiece in so-called "children's films". Between the colorful cast of characters, and a story that is not only full of heart, but excellently scripted, how could it not be? I left this movie so enthused and in love with it that I have my fingers crossed for a return to this universe. It's said to be a book series, so I will be interested to see if we might see that happen someday.

 

For all these reasons, I have named "The Boxtrolls" my first spotlight movie of the month. If you're going to see one movie this month and these movies are up your alley, you can't miss this. It's truly one of the best "kids" movies I've seen in a while, Frozen included.

 

IN CONCLUSION:

 

The Boxtrolls is a wonderfully crafted, fun, albeit somewhat-dark adventure the whole family will love. Another modern masterpiece from Lakia, I could not recommend it anymore. Parents, mark this on your must-see list with the kids, it's a wonderful time at the movies you're all sure to enjoy.

 

5/5 STARS
MY HIGHEST RECCOMENDATIONS

SPOTLIGHT MOVIE OF THE MONTH - SEPTEMBER 2014