Kevin Lazzari | Special to the Fitzhugh
I consider Martin Scorsese to be one of the best directors in the movie world.
Cinema really would not be the same if there was not a Martin Scorsese. Each film that he has been involved with is a masterpiece.
Hugo caught me by surprise when I first viewed it due to its unique story. It is a movie that has complex plot lines that are weaved together by a common thread.
Hugo is played by Asa Butterfield with the entire story revolving around his present and past life. We see glimpses of connections to the people that he meets on a daily basis. Ben Kingsley is one of those connections and Scorsese pushes the talent of Kingsley to the limit. There really is only one Ben Kingsley and he plays the part of Georges Melies to the standard that we all would expect.
The second the movie starts we know Hugo is going to be something special. The audience is pulled in immediately by the elaborate camera angles and the constant rolling shots. The set design is probably one of the most complex of any set that has ever been attempted in modern film. I now understand why the movie was $80 million over budget with a final budget of $156 million.
The powers that be considered it to be a box office flop, but I for one am glad it was made. Hugo is one of my favourite Scorsese's flicks and the two hours and six minutes was well spent.
Kevin Lazzari, owner of Video Stop, is reviewing movies for the Fitzhugh.
Hugo (2011) is available on DVD, Blu-ray and for digital download.
