Laika studios has had a string of modest hits with their stop-motion and computer animated films such as Coraline, Paranorman, and The Boxtrolls, but this trailer for their upcoming feature is something else entirely. Kubo and the Two Strings is the tale of a young boy taking a journey of discovery to continue in his father’s steps, and it looks wonderful. The CG is fluid and lush, miles ahead of their last film, The Boxtrolls. The world they’ve created brings the supernatural to life, and it is as whimsical as it is hauntingly beautiful. Bringing together A-Level talent such as Charlize Theron, Rooney Mara, Matthew McConaughey, George Takei, and Ralph Fiennes, will ensure strong performances I’m sure when Kubo and the Two Strings hits theaters next summer making it a clear stand-out in a sea of cookie cutter blockbusters.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Kubo and the Two Strings is 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), Hashi (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa) and Kamekichi (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.
Kubo and the Two Strings hits theaters August 19th, 2016.
