Laika’s animated films may not be everyone’s cup of tea (though I’m not sure how anyone couldn’t like CORALINE), but it’s undeniable that they have a great visual style and unique look. Their newest effort is KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS, which looks like it may be one of their best. It also sports a rather interesting voice cast, including Matthew McConaughey, Charlize Theron, Ralph Fiennes, Rooney Mara, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, George Takei, and Brenda Vaccaro. Art Parkinson (GAME OF THRONES) voices Kubo. This is the directorial debut of Travis Knight, who was the lead animator on both PARANORMAN and BOXTROLLS for Laika. Take a look at the trailer below and tell us your thoughts in the comments.
An epic action-adventure set in a fantastical Japan from acclaimed animation studio LAIKA. Clever, kindhearted Kubo (voiced by Art Parkinson of “Game of Thrones”) ekes out a humble living, telling stories to the people of his seaside town including Hosato (George Takei), Akihiro (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa), and Kameyo (Academy Award nominee Brenda Vaccaro). But his relatively quiet existence is shattered when he accidentally summons a spirit from his past which storms down from the heavens to enforce an age-old vendetta. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey (Academy Award winner Charlize Theron) and Beetle (Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey), and sets out on a thrilling quest to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known. With the help of his shamisen – a magical musical instrument – Kubo must battle gods and monsters, including the vengeful Moon King (Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes) and the evil twin Sisters (Academy Award nominee Rooney Mara), to unlock the secret of his legacy, reunite his family, and fulfill his heroic destiny.