Hugo [Blu-ray]

'Hugo' tells the story of a boy named Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield) who only wants to find his purpose in life. He spends his days in a Parisian train station running the clocks and observing the everyday activities of interesting side characters. Hugo is an orphan whose father (Jude Law) died in a museum fire and the only thing Hugo has left of him is a mechanical man called an automaton. Hugo believes that by fixing the automaton, he will recover a message from his father and will find just what part he is in the great machine that is the world.Hugo meets a crusty old toymaker (Ben Kingsley) while trying to steal parts for the automaton. The toymaker, who is first known as Papa Georges, takes a notebook from Hugo, which is vital in helping Hugo fix the automaton. After following Papa Georges to his home in hopes of getting his notebook back, Hugo meets Isabelle (Chloe Moretz). Isabelle soon becomes Hugo's only friend and through their adventures, they find out that there's more to Papa Georges than meets the eye.While this is all going on, Hugo has to avoid capture by the ruthless station inspector (Sacha Baron Cohen). What's eventually revealed is that Papa Georges is the forgotten filmmaker Georges Melies, who is in the most simple terms, one of the most important pioneers in film history. A great appreciation for what Melies did is found, but more importantly, 'Hugo' makes any movie-goer appreciate the magic that is the movies in a way that brings warmth to the hearts of all who witness it.Butterfield does a fine job in the title role. Subtle and sensitive, he makes the character of Hugo believable. Moretz is delightful as Isabelle. Something tells me that she has potential to do greater things. Baron Cohen moves beyond 'Borat' and 'Bruno' and shows true acting chops while providing some needed comic relief in what is other wise a serious film. Baron Cohen certainly stands out as one of the strongest members of a wonderful supporting cast. The supporting cast includes: the station inspector's flower lady love interest (Emily Mortimer), two lovers separated by a dog (Frances de la Tour, Richard Griffiths), and Georges Melies' wife Mama Jeanne who is played by Helen McCrory with a gentle sensitivity and compassion for her husband. All of these people add much-appreciated personality and delight that makes the difference between a great and excellent movie. Kingsley, as Melies, is nothing short of sensational. This was, in my eyes, a huge snub for Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars.'Hugo' is one of the most visually dazzling movies you will ever see. It boasts the best use of modern 3D technology since 'Avatar'. It is a beautiful portrait of a movie that secures its excellence with a strong cast, compelling story, and a superb directing job by Martin Scorsese. 'Hugo' will leave you feeling wonderful while instilling a greater appreciation for how far films have come and how it can be a masterful form of art. A+As for the product, 'Hugo' has to be one of the best movies that one can view in Blu-ray. A film that is filled with stunning CGI visuals and Oscar-winning cinematography, Blu-ray brings out the best of this visual masterpiece. I do not have capabilities to view the 3D version right now, but I bought it anyway as an investment for the future that is worth it. There will come a time when every TV and Blu-ray player will be able to play 3D. That future is not so far away.I want to address complaints about the Ultra Violet digital copy. All one has to do is copy the code into the 'Redeem' section of the iTunes Store homepages (top right-hand corner of the page) or follow the other instructions on the bottom half of the instructions (gray background). In short, do not mess with the Ultra Violet part if you don't want to risk it.

This blu-ray DVD arrived in new condition. Perfect for our Steampunk party.

Hugo is a gorgeous storybook experience, best viewed in the intended 3D format. In short - I found the story intriguing and compelling, and the visuals from beginning to end absolutely stunning. I also feel that this is a benchmark 3D film to compare others to.This film tells the stories of an orphaned boy (Hugo) and an old man (Georges), both broken by the pains of their past. In order to move forward they must discover how they are connected to each other. The backdrop is 1930s Paris, in a big train station they both work at. The overall story is robust, following not only the boy and the old man's journey, but also the supporting comic relief stories of the train station's residents; The station inspector who needs to soften his heart, A tea shop lady with a dog that drives off her admirers, and one of those admirers who never gives up, in spite of the protective dog. The film creates a feeling of storybook enchantment and though there are painful moments for Hugo and Georges, getting past those hard times is what its all about. The actors give their all, every one of them owned their role and made it real. Even the station inspector played by Sacha Baron Cohen, though the silliest character, gets the viewer to feel for him. There is another interesting character in the film but its not a person or an animal; it is The Movies and their history. Sure, some artistic license is taken to tell a story about our love of The Movies but the essence of that love is what comes across.With 3D cinematography, the atmosphere of each scene is emphasized, not ignored; Jets and wisps of steam coming from hard-working pipes, dust motes floating in the air, and lightly falling snow are a few amazing examples. Looking to the bigger 3D picture of large, deep settings like the train station, these particles and elements make the illusion of place complete. What the viewer sees is a detailed look at a world from the past, given the polish and shine of fond memory, movie magic, and the depth of 3D camera work. Color is used to direct the viewer's eyes by making the main set-pieces lush and vivid, with more subdued tones in the surrounding scenery. Each scene is an illustration brought to life, with a touch of stylization making for the storybook feel.I highly recommend an annual repeat viewing of Hugo. It recharges nostalgia, reminds us to keep a sense of wonder and even teaches us a little something about the earliest movies.