In recent years, we’ve seen 3D films done by the likes of James Cameron, Michael Bay and botched by others we won’t bother naming, but none of us have seen a 3D movie, a family adventure film no less, by Martin Scorsese. And so the trailer for his upcoming film, “Hugo” (formerly known as “Hugo Cabret“) has hit and we must say it looks pretty damn wonderful, thrilling and charming (vibrant use of music too, though that doesn’t sound like composer Howard Shore‘s work; he wrote the score).
Not only it is a 180 degree shift for Scorsese who has never made a children’s picture like this, the film is pinning its hopes on a relative unknown in newcomer Asa Butterfield, who plays the lead. That said, there is an astounding supporting cast around him that includes co-lead Chloe Moretz plus Sacha Baron Cohen, Ben Kingsley, Jude Law, Ray Winstone, Christopher Lee, Helen McCrory, Richard Griffiths, Frances de la Tour, Emily Mortimer and Michael Stuhlbarg.
Dare this writer to say the trailer looks damn magical, but surely some will disagree. Certainly it’s not what we’ve come to expect from Scorsese, but change is good, is it not? Though, we will admit, the filmmaker’s batting average when it comes to major change isn’t perfect.
Films like “The Age of Innocence,” “Kundun” and even his musical “New York, New York” are not regarded as his best films, but hell, it’s Marty so you’ve gotta have a little faith.
Here’s the synopsis:
Hugo tells the story of an orphan boy living a secret life in the walls of a Paris train station. With the help of an eccentric girl, he searches for the answer to a mystery linking the father he recently lost, the ill-tempered toy shop owner living below him and a heart shaped lock, seemingly without a key. Based on Brian Selznick’s award winning and imaginative New York Times bestseller, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, this magical tale is Academy Award-winner Martin Scorsese’s first film shot in 3D.
Will this connect with Scorsese fans? That might not be the aim and if sold well, it could be be the broadest and biggest picture of his career. It will be interesting to see if it lands well with critics and the holiday crowd.
Scorsese’s “Hugo,” no longer ‘Cabret,’ is set to hit theaters November 23, 2011. Yes, you’ll recall it had an early December date when it was first slotted, but Sony moved it up to the always lucrative Thanksgiving weekend slot. Check out the trailer in HD over at Apple or check out the embed below.