What's The Bottom Line special Toxic Tuesday presents The Boxtrolls

presents

The Boxtrolls (2014)

Starring Ben Kingsley (Shutter Island and Gandhi), Jared Harris (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Lincoln) and Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz) 

Introduction

I thought for Toxic Tuesdays we look at those things that lives under the streets....and lives in boxes? That's right this week Toxic Tuesday will be looking at Boxtrolls and what we thought about the film. Now, it may shock you That's The Bottom Line doesn't actually like this film but we appreciate the hard work that went into the film. We will say why we didn't like it later but let's start with good old first impressions.

First Impressions Before Seeing The Film?

I think it's easy to say that we thought that The Boxtrolls was a Tim Burton film. If you look at it, and just take in all the designs, the drawings and even the sketches it appears to be the work of Tim Burton. But, it's not! it's Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi. We generally thought that the film will be looking at merely the Boxtrolls and off course a clear villain to get the kids going "boo!". But, we didn't do any research into the film, we didn't know who is in the film. But, one thing is for sure, it captures the heart and play time of child's imagination which is what a kid's film should have in it.

After I Watched The Film?

I don't know what I just watched. This would actually be the worst kids film in history. Let's tell you why. It's great visually and you'll know why in the facts. But, it doesn't explain much things, like cheese, it's not a spoiler but the higher class love cheese but it never explains why. The city itself looks old, ancient and dying but it doesn't explain why. Plus, never explains where The Boxtrolls come from, doesn't explain all these little questions as a viewer I need to know. PLUS, the ending was actually the most surprising because it was such a shocking one. It's nothing like "wow" mind blowing, but it's a PG film and how the villain let's say....goes away is abit....."REALLY? In a kids film!" moment. I was a bit questionable about this film because the villain is just weird. The henchman can't decide between good or evil, the Boxtrolls don't speak but you see the characteristics which is brilliant. We mainly, look at the human character living with the Boxtrolls called "Eggs". But, it's just a generally weird film and not the good kind more the, uncomfortable and disappointing kind. HOWEVER, there was one bit in the film where I was shocked which I don't want to say but you actually feel something different will happen in this film. 

What Could Of Made This Film Better?

In all seriousness, we would say that the film needs to be re-written. It's too exhausted as a watcher to see what happened in the film. Some bits were dragging, some didn't make sense until later on. But, it's just the cheese thing we still don't get. Yes, cheese is like a high up taste factor which we believe is what the directors was doing. But, it was more like seeing Wallace and Gromit if they were a grumpy, greedy, and powerful kings and queen of cheese. Plus, you can't deny the design elements and the choice of letting the Boxtrolls not to speak is the directors decisions. BUT, have to consider that we personally wanted to see more of The Boxtrolls. We never knew where they came from, so personally should of started with where the Boxtrolls came from. Plus, maybe having more of a playful element to the characters and not always danger, some parts were just silly. And, the fact a child is watching this, and the villain dresses as a woman as another person, personally the child would ask why is he doing this. It addresses the whole transgender and for a child at 4 or 5 watching this film, are they ready to understand this? Or would they enough know the difference I don't know. But, for the villain to be play another character in this film didn't make sense. There were no reason I could see only having that attention from the public at day time. But, overall it was ridiculous and didn't make sense because one scene you see her and boom, the villain is in the factory.....There's a bit lacking in the story and it didn't flow. It's my first kids film where the villain had to dress as a woman for the community, I can't think of one from the top of my head. I would understand, if the villain ran a pet shop, or something! Just not this weird character.

Facts About This Film?

1. Dee Bradley Baker, who voices Fish, Wheels and Bucket, also helped develop the boxtroll language.
2. Because all the actors recorded their parts separately, Simon Pegg was initially unaware of best friend Nick Frost's participation in the project, and vice versa.
3. Singing vocals for Sir Ben Kingsley were provided by actor/countertenor Sean Patrick Doyle (of Broadway's Kinky Boots, La Cage Aux Folles and 20th Century Fox's The Sitter), voice-matching his spoken performance as Mme. Frou Frou.
4. This mix of stop-motion and CGI technology
5. After the first part of the credits, Mr. Trout and Mr. Pickles have a philosophical discussion about their place in the world while, around them, that world carries on.
6. Laika's other works - Coraline and Paranorman
7. The Boxtrolls song was written and music provided by Eric Ilde but was performed by Mark Orton and Loch Lomond and vocalist was Sean Patrick Doyle. 

My Rankings

Personally, I love Coraline but this wasn't my cup of tea. It wasn't too weird for me it didn't make sense in parts. Wasn't much comedy or action it was all a mumble jumble. I like the element thou of CGI and stop motion technology in a film that came from Wallace and Gromit. This has a 7.2 rating in IMBD and I would go lower because I did go in the film with high expectations, but sadly my high expectations were cheesed on....literally. So, that being said I give this film a 5 out of 5 watch-able rating. I just feel, that it wasn't for me and could offend some people, not me personally but I could see people picking a fuss over it. But, I do remember it's a kids film and I loving Disney, Pixar, Tim Burton, Coraline, all the loving kids film this wasn't up to scraps am afraid.

So, What's The Bottom Line?

I wouldn't recommend this film but I do appreciate the work that had to go in the film. So, if you want to see the visually stunning design in making this film go right ahead. If you wanted a Tim Burton style film, don't worry Nightmare Before Christmas is coming again because were near Halloween. I wouldn't go out of my way to watch it but if it's in the 3 pound box I buy it, and watch it whenever and that's the bottom line.

Here is the trailer:

Here is the IMDB page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0787474/

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