The Boxtrolls: Movie Review

Although they are not as common, I have always enjoyed stop-motion animated films. In recent years, we have seen some great ones like “Paranorman” and “Frankenweenie”. This week brings “The Boxtrolls” which is based on the children’s novel “Here Be Monsters” and it is another example of why stop-motion animation will continue to live on.

Living beneath the city are underground dwelling creatures that come out in the middle of the night and scavenger for junk to bring back to their home. Humans refer to these creatures as Boxtrolls, because they wear nothing but cardboard boxes. People think the Boxtrolls are flesh eating monsters, but actually they are a fun loving group of goof-offs that love to create amazing things with the trash they collect from the city.

Raised by the Boxtrolls is a human boy named Eggs (voiced by Isaac Hempstead Wright), who was orphaned as a baby and has grown up thinking he is no different than his underground family. One night while making the rounds about the city, Eggs crosses paths with the Winnie (Elle Fanning), the daughter of Lord Portley-Rind (voiced by Jared Harris). It doesn’t take long before Winnie and Eggs begin to work together to help show the people of the city that The Boxtrolls aren’t the monsters people think they are. Unfortunately there is a bigger problem. Lord Portley-Rind has given Archibald Snatcher (voiced by Ben Kingsley) the task of exterminating ever last Boxtroll.

“The Boxtrolls” is a wonder to behold. I loved the look of the city and those who are fans of the minions from “Despicable Me” will find a similar charm with these creatures. There are a lot of laughs and Ben Kingsley does a fantastic job as the film’s villain. If you are looking for something to see with the family this weekend, “The Boxtrolls” is it.

By: Marc Ferman