The Adventures of Tintin (2011)

I did the math. I used the Wikipedia page, I used the movies I’ve reviewed, the reviews I didn’t post, and the movies I watched but didn’t care enough about to review (don’t judge me. I had a lot on my plate when I saw Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Water for Elephants), and everything I saw that was released in 2011. Hitting the counter with one of my most anticipated films of the year, I have seen 100 movies that were released in 2011. And the 100th movie I saw that was a 2011 movie was The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn, or just The Adventures of Tintin, if you prefer the North American title (which I don’t, but currently I am in North America, so I’m using that title for this review). And having that be my 100th 2011 film, all I have to say is: good decision-making, me.

Based off of the comics by Belgian artist Hergé (Georges Remi), The Adventures of Tintin takes its story from the comics The Crab with the Golden Claws, The Secret of the Unicorn, and Red Rackham’s Treasure. This mashed (but completely organic) story involves journalist Tintin (mo-cap and voice by Jamie Bell) and his trust dog Snowy who, when paired up with Captain Haddock (mo-cap/voice by Andy Serkis), has to find two more scrolls hidden inside models of the ship Unicorn, as they lead the way to finding the old treasure of the Haddock line, of which our Captain Haddock is the last. The competition for finding the treasure is Sakharine (mo-cap/voice by Daniel Craig), who is trying to restore order with his ancestors as well. And even though I probably said too much right there, I will say no more from that, because much like with many other great films, there are so many little great surprises that will either leave you in stitches or leave you amazed.

The Adventures of Tintin, despite how it was made, was sold as a silly kid’s film. THIS IS NOT A KID’S MOVIE. Just like Hugo this year, The Adventures of Tintin is just a movie that involves kiddy themes, but it is helmed in such an adult and brilliant way. There is a single roughly five-minute adventure scene in here, that is one singular shot. My heart was in my stomach the entire time because this is such a brilliant shot, and even though it is animated, you can see the talent and skill radiating from this scene, and from this entire film. At its heart, The Adventures of Tintin is a pure action adventure film, and very well could be the best adventure since Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. It sure as heck is a better Indiana Jones film than Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
9/10