On Making the Most of 3D with The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn

Just when it seemed that 3D was waning, with a contribution from a string of poorly written, poorly directed and poorly acted films, made strictly because the technology exists (never a good idea), comes a film that uses 3D to its potential. The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn directed by Spielberg and produced by Peter Jackson, with a script by three British writers, Joe Cornish, Edgar Wright and Steven Moffat. Not since Avatar (2009) has a (non Pixar) film used 3D to its full potential. In addition to the well constructed, exciting action sequences you’d expert from Spielberg, the director uses the motion capture animation, combined with the 3D to create scenes that merge into each other. A puddle on a Belgian street becomes a desert with Tintin and Captain Haddock walking through; a bottle becomes a telescope as past and present stories are beautifully combined. Where The Adventures of Tintin raises the bar is with its well written story and characters worth investing in. It doesn’t have the adult crossover that recent and really great films have had (again, see Pixar), but it does possess a lot of old school style charm that many adults will enjoy. The speed in which the action sequences arrive can be dizzying; there is little time to consider the characters, only enjoy them, but fortunately the story is well delivered and easy to follow, despite the barrage of visual information. The Adventures of Tintin has Spielberg written all over it and there is plenty of promise here to warrant excitement for part two, directed by Peter Jackson.