Comments on: Hugo 3D (US 2011)

By: Roy Stafford

Roy Stafford — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:02:47 +0000

In reply to keith1942.

I’m not sure if there is any specific 3D element to the clips themselves – although there is in the re-staging of the scenes being shot. I’d need to see the 3D version again to look careful at those scenes in which the clips are shown. I understand why you are so wary but I think watching the film in 3D was overall a worthwhile experience.

As a footnote, its depressing that Hugo has failed to reach a blockbuster audience – I don’t know if all the Oscar noms will boost its box office significantly.

By: keith1942

keith1942 — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:30:06 +0000

When I realised that this film included clips from Melies I opted to see it in 2D, I cannot imagine what the 3D does to early film?
Roy’s and Des’ comments are apt. And the film is definitely inaccurate; though it plays with the lack of records on Melies.
I should say that I prefer its treatment of Early Cinema to that of The Artist.

By: des1967

des1967 — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:17:09 +0000

In reply to Roy Stafford.

Yes, the narrative structure doesn’t quite fit the model.

Agree about “movies”, very irritating. Not sure of a term other than “film” (pron. “feelm”) but will ask.However, there was a term “le cinoche” for cinema (the place not the concept).

By: Roy Stafford

Roy Stafford — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:42:24 +0000

In reply to Des1967.

Thanks for the link, Des. It’s a scholarly piece with several interesting observations and lots of useful information but I’m not sure that I’m convinced by her narrative analysis. Having said that, she’s seen the film twice which always helps.

I forgot to add in my original post that what really irritated me in Hugo was the constant use of ‘movies’ to refer to ‘films’ in all the dialogue. Do you have any idea how the French would have referred to films at this time? Is it too romantic to suggest that they used a term akin to ‘flicks’ in British English?

By: Des1967

Des1967 — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:02:59 +0000

I had intended to see it but unfortunately the 3D version stopped playing where I live and I had to make do with with 2D. I share many of Roy’s reactions, especially regarding the weakness of the narrative. There’s an excellent piece by Kirsten Thomson in which she analyses the narrative in terms of her famous “four-act structure” set out in ‘Storytelling in the New Hollywood

http://www.davidbordwell.net/blog/2011/12/07/hugo-scorseses-birthday-present-to-georges-melies/print/