Hugo

U, 2011, Directed by Martin Scorsese
Starring: Asa Butterfield, Chloé Grace Moretz, Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen

It may be hard to envisage legendary director Martin Scorsese, director of esteemed classics Raging Bull, Taxi Driver and GoodFellas, opting to work behind the lens on a U certificate children’s film. In 3D, no less. But within mere minutes of Hugo's startlingly beautiful opening sequence, with Parisian lights glistening in your face and dialogue-free action depicting our orphan protagonist Hugo Cabret’s face peering from behind the Gare Montparnasse's clocks, as he tracks the goings-on with the characterised individuals surrounding him, and it will hit you like a train: this is no children’s film, but a love letter to the medium Marty has become such an iconic part of – cinema.

Set in 1930s Paris, Hugo goes about his days hiding in the walls, manning the clocks and avoiding the station Inspector (Sacha Baron Cohen), all whilst attempting to repair the automaton (a mechanical man who can write messages) he and his father worked on before his untimely demise left Hugo on his lonesome.  It is through this event that we are introduced to the eccentric cast surrounding the loveable boy (played by The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' Asa Butterfield, a revelation) and his new friend, young Isabelle (Kick Ass' Chloe Moretz, continuing to impress in everything): the aforementioned Inspector Gustav, played with relish by Cohen who steals every scene he finds himself in; Christopher Lee as a kindly librarian; and Ben Kinglsey as the grouchy owner of a toy shop who bears a secret that is inexplicably linked in a large part to Hugo’s ambition to repair the automaton. Needless to say, the film veers off to become associated with the technicalities of cinema, and a film that can be appreciated by all.

For the first time in quite a while, the 3D complements proceedings - somewhat ironically considering the feature's focus on a time when the silver screen had no sound let alone enhanced image - immersing you into an experience rarely achieved these days. Sit back in awe as you witness re-enactments of the stripped-back hugely original way in which films were made, not to mention a general appreciation of the joy cinema can bring to individuals, generation after generation. If that does not supply you with joy, it is a struggle to think what will. Because through Hugo, Martin Scorsese has not only crafted a product suitable to everybody everywhere, but – and whisper this - he might just have crafted his masterpiece. Well... another addition to the filmography that can be mentioned alongside the others at the top of this review anyway.

5/5

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The Fighter

2010, 15, Directed by David O. Russell

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo

You may think that a rags-to-riches tale of a boxer who doesn’t just fight for an occupation, but for life has been done before. You may even be correct. Rocky, Raging Bull, Million Dollar Baby; each film very different from the last but fundamentally similar (and all recognised by Oscar). It is a shock then that David O. Russell’s The Fighter, centering on Mark Wahlberg’s Micky Ward, is a welcome breath of fresh air. With Wahlberg, The Fighter finds its heart. He merges the perfect level of independence, whilst remaining a loyal family man; a refined individual, Ward has lived in the shadow of his brother Dicky his entire life. With Dicky, played to characterised Oscar-winning bliss by Christian Bale, the film finds its comedic, yet tragic route. A former boxing champion, the only hobby he dabbles in these days is snorting drugs. He is a mess, but underneath it all, a less independent, but loyal bloke, just like his brother. He hides behind the matriarch of the family, Melissa Leo’s Alice Ward. Loving to her offspring, vicious to intruders (which Micky’s girlfriend Charlene – a self-assured Amy Adams – soon realises), Leo delivers what could have been stereotypical, and steers it to memorable, and like Bale, award-winning status. Although O. Russell’s direction captures everything that is required, and in some cases a lot more (a pull-back sequence at the beginning of the film lingers in the memory), this is very much the performer’s film. Every cast member plays an ace here, Bale being the obvious standout (it’s impossible not to raise a smirk when he invites Sugar Ray Leonard, a cameo from the former opponent himself, for a ‘cold one’) – but his performance is complemented from the wholly understated one from Wahlberg. As the film’s heart, he provides the elements necessary for the success the film deserves, and in doing so propels the film to life.

4.5/5

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Best Picture Nominee #2: The Fighter

 Back in '77, Rocky won in the Academy Award ring against some classic heavyweights - and so with The Fighter being billed as ‘the greatest boxing movie since Rocky’ (completely forgetting Raging Bull in the process), there is pressure on David O. Russell’s effort. The truth is that The Fighter is really great, a true 'performance' film. This didn’t prevent O. Russell from securing an Oscar nomination for his deft direction – arguably, in what should have been Chris Nolan’s nomination – but somehow did prevent Mark Wahlberg, the film’s heart, from getting noticed in the Best Actor category. With Christian Bale nominated (and a shoo in), aswell as former-nominees Melissa Leo and Amy Adams, The Fighter will definitely scoop up some awards

Would it have been nominated before the 10-nomination rule?

Hell yeah, the Academy loves a clichéd rags-to-riches story like this. That isn’t to detract from the film; it’s one of the more charming efforts on this year's list and fully deserves its nomination. It’s chance here is better than most. Like Micky Ward himself, this is the underdog, albeit an obvious one.

Rating out of 5: ●●●●●

Chances out of 5: ●●●●●

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Raging Bull

1980, 18, Directed by Martin Scorsese

Starring: Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Cathy Moriarty, Nicholas Colasanto

Known as one of the best sports films that there are, Raging Bull is a master-class in exactly how it should be done. Evidently timeless, De Niro rages through the film delivering what could be seen as his most faultless performance. Not so much a film, but a journey led by Jake La Motta that provides insight into the destruction of a life outside the ring he succeeds so well inside. The able support (Cathy Moriarty and Joe Pesci as long-suffering wife and brother, respectively), the authentic cinematography and Scorsese’s touches are all just spinning cogs in a giant machine that will continue to spin for generations to come. 

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