Strings

A literal lot, the Danes. The strings of the title refer to the ostentatiously visible means by which the puppets in Ronnow-Klarlund's story are manoeuvred about the set, although strings are also the invisible ties that bind in a mythological tale of young prince, Hal (voiced by McAvoy), who is forced to face his destiny when his father commits suicide and hawkish warmongers inside the palace contrive to make the suicide look like the work of fifth columnists. An epic tale of wandering, battle and unexpected love, the story is powerful and touching by turns, with superbly fluid puppeteering that might have allowed the wooden mannequins to come alive as characters. Unfortunately, the very dark lighting and the puppets' facial similarities make it difficult at times to work out who's doing what and why, and the filmmakers seem hell-bent on reminding the audience it is watching puppets and not people - brother and sister squabble when their strings become entangled, and sword-fights end not with a stab to the heart, but with a slice of a string. It's a brave decision, and one for which Ronnow-Klarlund is to be commended, but it's largely unnecessary; the non-moving mouths and unblinking eyes are reminders enough that we are watching a wonderfully skilled but lifeless contrivance.