Star Rating:

The Boxtrolls

Directors: Anthony Stacchi, Graham Annable

Release Date: Saturday 30th November 2013

Genre(s): Animation

Running time: 97 minutes

This adaptation of Alan Snow’s Here Be Monsters! is flawless when it comes to the quirky and dark visuals synonymous with Laika Film (Coraline, ParaNorman) but with the story on fast forward the script hits the occasional bump.

Archibald Snatcher (Kingsley) hates The Boxtrolls, ugly but peaceful creatures who creep from their subterranean hideout at night to pinch bric-á-brac and food from bins to ensure their community thrives. Snatcher, scaring the locals with tales of Boxtroll kidnappings and cannibalism, is employed by Lord Portley-Rind (Harris) to catch and dispose of all the despicable creatures, which would allow Snatcher to join the city’s ruling White Hats and hobnob with them on cheese. As the Boxtrolls are rounded up, Eggs (Isaac Hempstead Wright), a feral human boy raised as a Boxtroll, ventures topside and needs the help of Portley-Rind’s daughter, Winnie (Fanning) to rescue his friends…

The style of the film is what first grabs the attention. With its shadowy Dickensian streets, twisted houses, crooked lampposts and warped staircases, this has a kooky Tim Burton steampunk look, with Henry Selick meets Aardman by way Jean-Pierre Jeunet thrown in for good measure. It shouldn’t work, it should fall asunder under too many influences, but directors Annable and Stacchi deliver a unique world. And the characters fit this oddball universe beautifully - especially the memorable Archibald Snatcher. With his beady eyes, grotesque teeth, oversized hat, and greasy comb over, The Boxtrolls have a classic villain in the Bill Sikes mould. Its message – misinformation breeds prejudice – is certainly worthwhile in today’s political climate.

What lets the side down is Annable and Stacchi’s occasional (and only occasional) inability to make the script’s turning points hit home. A dance at a ball is supposed to highlight the moment that Eggs finally falls in love with the surface world but the directors don’t give it the awe and punch it needs. The story too has a major reveal that’s completely botched because, racing through the events at top speed, Annable and Stacchi can’t wait to get to the next set up. There may also be a problem in scaring off its target audience as, like Coraline, The Boxtrolls drops the cute every now and then for something altogether dark.

If one is looking for an animated feature with thought and heart, that isn’t relying on pop culture references for gags, and isn’t setting up a franchise, The Boxtrolls will satisfy those needs.