Kubo and the Two Strings

By: Cynthia Litman

Pearl of the Film: Family Strings Are Magic

"The end of one story is merely the beginning of another." Is one of the beautiful pearls shared in the new stop animation film "Kubo and the Two Strings."

It is truly a beautiful, heartfelt and understated family quest of Kubo, a young son of a Samurai with one eye.

The film is rather quiet (as opposed to the splashy action based animated films we're used to) and the beauty is in the storytelling and relation of one character to another. 

The film has deep spiritual themes of family, eternal love, magic, death, forgiveness and the power of dreams.

The family shadow and ancestral power is a central theme and so naturally, I was hooked.

Kubo's grandfather is the Moon King (Ralph Fienes).  His family business is pretty cold hearted.

He has all the best intentions and seeks his grandson to join him in the heavens. Being the Moon King he sees all at night.  He and his other two daughters seek Kubo in an aggressive and creepy way.

Seeing the coldness of the Moon King, Sariatu, Kubo's mother (voiced by Charlize Theron), opens her eyes to the warmth of humanity when she spares the life of the greatest Samurai the world has ever seen.  Sariatu broke away from her family and the family business to pursue a mortal life. She falls in love with the Samurai, gives birth to Kubo and barely saves both their lives.

This does not sit well with pops. He seeks vengeance and curses Kubo's parents and wipes their memories.

Kubo grows up thinking his father has passed on and caring for his deeply affected magical mother. They live atop of a mountain and every day Kubo goes to the marketplace to delight the townsfolk with his magical storytelling. He stays out one night past dark and he is set off on his journey.

He picks up some cursed but lovable friends along his quest like Beetle (Mathew McConaughey).  His cursed friends may have been stripped of their memories but the pureness of their spirits remain. They are loving and protective guides for Kubo.

The pieces of the story are filled in as the adventure journeys on. In flashbacks and feelings the characters find their way back to themselves.

The bonds of family are powerful chords which extend into the hereafter. Ancestral remembrance  is a magical force in our present life. Your legacy is what's passed on. 

In an incredibly beautiful scene, the power of connecting with loved ones who have passed on, is tapped and Kubo is able to harness this power.

Unexpectedly, I was in tears at the end of the film. It was deeply moving and truly beautiful.

Kubo And The Two Strings: Mommas Pearls Meter 3.5 Pearls
PG, 101 minutes
View Trailer

It's a great family film. Depending on your child's sensitivity range, it's good for ages 8+.

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Copyright © 2016 Cynthia Litman. All Rights Reserved.