Spielberg's ginger-haired hero...

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN


TinTin's first big screen outing was always going to be a big deal.  But when you've got Steven Spielberg directing and Peter Jackson producing,  it's a huge deal.  And with a stellar bunch of British actors and writers, plus music by John Williams, it's hardly surprising this film is one of the most hotly-anticipated of the year.


The opening did not disappoint.  There was superb 3D animation, a delightful score and a nod to creator Hergé in the form of a clever little portrait.  However, as the story unfolded, the use of motion capture technology became increasingly frustrating.  It was astonishing to see Jamie Bell's expressions reflected in TinTin's face, but after the initial marvel wore off it was somewhat tricky to connect fully with the characters as they felt, ironically, rather two-dimensional.

Yet overall the film is great fun - the adventure is gripping, the dialogue's slick and there's some great banter from Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as the bumbling detectives, Thompson and Thomson.  What's more, Spielberg proved he's still a movie master, with fast-paced action, thrilling chase scenes and some jaw-dropping special effects.


INTERESTING FACT:  No-one knows TinTin's real name - Hergé never revealed it.