The Boxtrolls [2 Discs] [Includes Digital Copy] [UltraViolet] [Blu-ray/DVD] [2014]

From the folks that brought you the delightful Coraline and ParaNorman. Big shoes to fill. I missed this movie at the theater and it snuck past me in is video release. I finally purchased the Blu-ray and prepared the family for a view. The Boxtrolls is definitely an amazing achievement in the line of stop-motion animation. In a physical sense everything you see is real and miniature and manipulated by fearless team of animators who apply the magic one frame at a time. Having said that, it might take you more than one view to get the full gist of the movie. The plot is strange and slightly off-kilter (which is good) and rather bizarre. In the cheese-infatuated Victorian town of Cheesebridge, rumors circulate, via the scaly, slimy exterminator Archibald Snatcher (Ben Kingsley) that the subterranean creatures known as Boxtrolls (small creatures clad in cardboard boxes to hide in with an affinity for snatching any object not bolted down) capture and eat small children. This causes havoc, of course, and Snatcher, in a quest to acquire a white hat (a symbol of status in Cheesebridge) sets forth to exterminate the little creatures after they have supposedly snatched a small boy. If Boxtrolls is anything it is inventive. Visually stunning. Slightly deranged. All the things you want in an animated feature. I loved Coraline. I liked The Boxtrolls. Does that make sense? Something is missing, but not enough to where it is awful, just not completely amazing. Still, you will enjoy it. I did, Laika takes their stop-motion animation seriously. Be sure to watch all the way through for a little tongue-in-cheek view of how creation works in the realm of Cheesebridge.

Parents need to know that while The Boxtrolls isn't quite as supernaturally creepy as the filmmakers' previous movies, Coraline and ParaNorman, it still has a lot of peril, tense moments, and a very unpleasant villain. Sympathetic characters are presumed dead at different points, a crying baby is carried away in the middle of the night, and the bad guy is bent on total extermination of the boxtrolls, painting them as bloodthirsty monsters, even though they're really peace-loving tinkerers. His extermination machine is loud, scary, fiery, and destructive, and he looks positively unhinged when he gets riled up. The movie may be animated (stop-motion), but it's really too intense for younger kids (especially when seen in 3-D). Characters are constantly in danger, whether from their own or others' actions, and there are some upsetting separations. One character has a significant food allergy that plays a key role in the plot; his reaction is very exaggerated, but it could strike a chord for kids and families who deal with allergies. There's not much in the way of language (one "oh my God"), but a character does wear a low-cut gown and fishnet stockings. All of that said, the movie offers a brave main character in the form of loyal, inventive Eggs, as well as positive messages about tolerance, family, standing up for yourself, and fighting for what's right.

Laika movie #3 Same company that created Coraline, ParaNorman, plus Kubo and the two strings. Laika strives to tell stories differently with stop-motion animation. Fandango synopsis The Boxtrolls, a community of quirky, mischievous creatures who have lovingly raised an orphaned human boy named Eggs (voiced by Isaac Hempstead-Wright) in the amazing cavernous home they’ve built beneath the streets of Cheesebridge. When the town’s villain, Archibald Snatcher (Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley), comes up with a plot to get rid of the Boxtrolls, Eggs decides to venture above ground, “into the light,” where he meets and teams up with fabulously feisty Winnifred (Elle Fanning). Together, they devise a daring plan to save Eggs’ family.

Yet another awesome story from Laika studios. Fun for the whole family

If you're a sucker for stop motion animation and the detail it involves this movie is a no brainer. If you're not it's still a solid buy. It's made by the same people that did Coraline and A Nightmare Before Christmas which should hint at the quality to expect. While it may be a tad scary for younger children at the start it is good at heart and teaches not to judge a book by its cover as you learn more about the "evil" box trolls. I would watch it once yourselves to judge when to show your kids but guarantee that once they're old enough to get the story and not be put off by the first appearance of the trolls they'll love it too.

The movie was Great, just as good as when I saw it at the theater on the big screen. The only problem I had was I bought it when it went on sale. I had no idea that the Ultra Violet codes had an expiration date, which is one of the main reasons I bought this movie but the code would not load into my VuDu account. So next time I will buy the movie when it comes out, or just purchase the digital code online.

After a brilliant, 5-star first third that slyly references everything from Shakespeare to Social Darwinism, the story meanders a bit and loses some steam, but still remains a very enjoyable adventure that can be appreciated by adults as well as kids. The visuals are inventive, beautiful, and quirky, and the voice acting is excellent. This movie's humor is sharp and sarcastic, along the lines of Shrek, Madagascar, and Despicable Me. If you and your family enjoyed those films, definitely put The Boxtrolls on your list!

It is easy to forget that every move, step, motion and action taken in this movie were done by hand with practical models. The people behind this production are true masters of their craft, supported by an all star voice acting cast that dod some amazing work. It is worth the purchase just to see the special features and after credits scene which I won't spoil here. If you liked nightmare before christmas, be ready to see how far they can take the same tools and create a smooth, 3D quality feature film.