KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS (2016)

Summary:

Kubo and the Two Strings is a breathtaking stop-motion animated fantasy film from Laika, telling the epic tale of a young boy named Kubo who lives a quiet life in a village, caring for his ailing mother. With his magical shamisen (a three-stringed instrument) and extraordinary storytelling abilities, Kubo brings his origami creations to life, captivating audiences with tales of his legendary samurai father, Hanzo, and his battles against powerful spirits and his mother's family, including the sinister Moon King and his two terrifying twin sisters.

His peaceful existence is shattered when he inadvertently draws the attention of his mother's family, forcing him on a perilous journey to find a magical suit of armor once worn by his father. Accompanied by a wise, talking monkey and an amnesiac samurai beetle, Kubo must confront his family's dark past, master his own magical abilities, and ultimately discover the true power of memory, love, and storytelling to defeat the Moon King and find peace for his family.

Keywords: Kubo and the Two Strings, 2016, Art Parkinson, Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey, Ralph Fiennes, Fantasy, Adventure, Stop-motion, Family.

Plot:

The story begins with a young boy named Kubo, living with his mother, Sariatu, in a cave overlooking a small Japanese village. Kubo possesses a magical shamisen, a three-stringed instrument that allows him to manipulate paper, bringing origami figures to life to illustrate his captivating stories. Each day, he travels to the village to perform, recounting the heroic exploits of his legendary samurai father, Hanzo, who fought against powerful spirits and his mother's malevolent family, including the dreaded Moon King and his two terrifying Sisters. However, Kubo must always return home before nightfall, as his mother warns him that his grandfather and aunts seek to steal his remaining eye, having already taken one when he was an infant.

Kubo's mother, Sariatu, suffers from bouts of memory loss and lethargy, her past as a powerful warrior shrouded in mystery. Despite her fading health, she frequently uses her own magic to protect Kubo, reinforcing the urgency of his nightly return. One day, during the Obon festival, a celebration where villagers honor their deceased loved ones by lighting lanterns, Kubo wishes to stay out past dark to speak with his father's spirit. Disobeying his mother's strict instructions, he lingers, leading to a catastrophic encounter. The Moon King's two Sisters descend from the sky, formidable and relentless, attacking Kubo. His mother arrives just in time, using her last reserves of magic to send Kubo away to safety before sacrificing herself in a desperate battle against her sisters.

Kubo awakens in a snowy landscape, alone and grieving. He soon discovers a small, wooden monkey charm, which has inexplicably come to life. This no-nonsense, talking Monkey reveals herself to be a magical protector sent by Kubo's mother, imbued with her spirit. Monkey informs Kubo that his only hope lies in finding a magical suit of armor once worn by his father, Hanzo: the Sword Unbreakable, the Breastplate Impenetrable, and the Helmet Invulnerable. Thus begins their perilous quest. Their journey leads them through treacherous lands, where they encounter a large, amnesiac samurai Beetle, a loyal and good-natured warrior who claims to have once been Hanzo's apprentice. Beetle, despite his memory loss, is skilled with a sword and quickly pledges his loyalty to Kubo, joining their quest.

Their first objective is the Sword Unbreakable, located in a hidden cave guarded by a massive, skeletal monster. Working together, Kubo, Monkey, and Beetle manage to defeat the beast and retrieve the sword. During their pursuit of the next piece of armor, they are ambushed by one of the Moon King's Sisters. In a brutal confrontation, Monkey battles the Sister, revealing her own formidable combat skills. The Sister mockingly reveals that Monkey is, in fact, Kubo's mother, Sariatu, reincarnated in the form of the charm. Monkey, confirming this truth, ultimately defeats the Sister, but not without a profound emotional toll on Kubo, who grapples with the loss of his mother and the reality of her sacrifice and continued presence.

The trio continues their journey to find the Breastplate Impenetrable, which is located in an underwater temple known as the Garden of Eyes. This treacherous location is home to a monstrous, multi-eyed creature that preys on fear and illusion. As they navigate the watery depths, Beetle begins to recall fragmented memories, particularly his deep love for a woman and a sense of having lost something precious. The second Sister, the last remaining aunt, confronts them in the Garden of Eyes. In a climactic battle, Monkey and Beetle fight valiantly, but the Sister's power is immense. Monkey is gravely wounded protecting Kubo, and Beetle sacrifices himself to save Kubo, revealing in his final moments that he is Hanzo, Kubo's father, transformed and cursed by the Moon King. With his parents now both gone in their physical forms, Kubo, fueled by grief and newfound determination, uses his shamisen to defeat the final Sister, shattering her mask and sending her into the void.

With both the Sword and Breastplate in hand, Kubo makes his way to the Moon King's fortress to retrieve the Helmet Invulnerable and confront his grandfather. The Moon King, revealed to be a cold, ancient entity, attempts to persuade Kubo to join him, promising to take his other eye and make him immortal, free from the pain and suffering of human existence. He reveals that his motivation for taking Kubo's eyes is to make him "whole" in his own image, devoid of human weaknesses. Kubo, however, refuses, understanding that his humanity, his memories, and his love for his parents are his true strength. The Moon King transforms into a monstrous, serpentine creature, initiating the final battle.

Kubo, facing an overwhelming foe, realizes that the physical armor pieces are not enough. He understands that the true "armor" lies in the strength of his family's love, the memories they shared, and the stories they created. Using his shamisen, he weaves together the strings from his mother's hair and his father's bowstring, creating a powerful new instrument. He then calls upon the spirits of his ancestors, and more importantly, the collective memories of the villagers and his parents' love. He tells the story of his family, not as a tale of war and conquest, but as a story of love, sacrifice, and the enduring power of human connection. As he plays, the Moon King's monstrous form is overwhelmed by the light of these memories and stories. The Moon King is defeated, stripped of his power and transformed into a gentle, old man, his memories of his cruel past erased. Kubo, now with both his eyes, chooses to tell the villagers a new story about the kind old man who now lives among them, welcoming him into the community, thus demonstrating the profound power of empathy and forgiveness, and the enduring legacy of his family's love.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Art Parkinson as Kubo
• Charlize Theron as Monkey / Sariatu
• Matthew McConaughey as Beetle / Hanzo
• Ralph Fiennes as Raiden the Moon King
• Rooney Mara as The Sisters

Crew:

• Director: Travis Knight
• Producers: Travis Knight, Arianne Sutner
• Screenplay by: Marc Haimes, Chris Butler
• Story by: Shannon Tindle, Marc Haimes
• Music by: Dario Marianelli
• Editor: Edie Ichioka
• Production Designer: Nelson Lowry
• Executive Producers: Brad Booke, Phil Knight

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: August 19, 2016
• Language: English
• Genre: Stop-motion animation, Fantasy, Adventure, Family
• Running Time: 101 minutes
• Accolades: Nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Animated Feature, Best Visual Effects); Winner of the BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film; Nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film.