Another diamond in the rough of crap this Summer. Then again I tend to have more faith in Laika studios like I used to for Pixar…until Laika decides to make Boxtrolls 2, thankfully they’re not taking the easy way.
Kubo is a made-up story and not part of any Japanese folklore yet you’d think it was given the details. It’s a tale about a little boy with one eye who must find three relics to keep his evil grandfather at bay. He is joined at the start of the quest by a snow monkey that talks and then a beetle-esque samurai warrior. Kubo isn’t completely helpless, he can make origami props when he plays his shamisen (three-stringed Japanese guitar/ukelele); e.g. wings to fly away, a ship, etc.
It may be a “kid” movie but there’s enough humor and story to keep adults entertained. I for one was pleased to hear a little more range from Matthew McConaughey as the beetle samurai.
Alamo Extras: Stop-motion fairytale thing; two guys playing “Billie Jean” on shamisens; a Japanese cartoon celebrating the Harvest Festival; kids playing instruments; someone demonstrating the four major styles of playing guitar; Star Wars anthem on a shamisen; tap dancing accompanied by a shamisen.