TIN TIN : archive from 27th December 2011

Saw 'TIN TIN' this afternoon in 3D at my local multiplex. You have got to give it to Spielberg - he is a master story teller & expert film maker and has created computer generated animation magic with this offering. This is a classic story, first introducing us to this titular character and his faithful canine companion, Snowy as created by Herge. The animation is beautifully rendered, rich and deep graphics show just how advanced MoCap has become since 'The Polar Express' first hit the screen. Funny in places, great action & set pieces, pitch perfect voice casting and a story that nods at Indiana Jones all the way.

With a talented voice cast that includes Jamie Bell as Tin Tin, Andy Serkis as Captain Haddock and his ancestor Sir Frances Haddock, Daniel Craig as Ivan Ivanovitch Sakharine and Red Rackham, Nick Frost and Simon Pegg as one half each of the Thompson Twins and various others that complete the package. The film is Produced by Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson and Kathleen Kennedy.

This story is a combination of 'The Crab with the Golden Claws', 'The Secret of the Unicorn' and 'Red Rackham's Treasure' and sees the intrepid Tin Tin hot on the trail of a lost family fortune - the whereabouts of which are written on three small scrolls which are hidden away in three models of the long since scuppered ship 'The Unicorn'. Tin Tin is in possession of one, Ivan Sakharine the other and the one remaining is believed to be in Morocco in the possession of a sheik. Sakharine has plans to retrieve the scroll from the third model at a concert by means most foul, and so completing the prized set as he has already stolen the scroll that Tin Tin was holding originally.

With the Thompson Twins also on the trail, and the bond between Tin Tin and Captain Haddock growing stronger given their now intertwined adversity and mission, the chase is on to prevent Sakharine completing the puzzle once he has all three scrolls, and so locating the hidden treasure in the real Unicorn that was sunken by Haddocks ancestor - Sir Frances Haddock some three hundred years earlier to prevent pirates at the time (led by Red Rackham) from getting their grubby little hands on it!

The film cost US$135M to make and grossed US$375M. It was nominated for Best Original Score by John Williams; was nominated for Best Animated Film and Best Special Visual Effects at the BAFTA's and won the Golden Globe for the Best Animated Feature Film. All up it garnered 27 award wins and a further fifty nominations. In December 2014 Peter Jackson indicated that the next film would certainly be happening, but timing remains unconfirmed due to Jackson's other film commitments which pre-date the next Tin Tin release. Spielberg also confirmed earlier that they knew which books were to be adapted for the next instalment, so I guess we can but wait!

Overall a great package and a delight to sit back and watch such a great animated film. 3D however, does little to enhance this movie would be my only reservation. Best of course to be seen on the big screen, but little chance of that happening now, so sit back in the comfort of your own home and watch it on DVD/Bluray if you haven't seen it already!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-