Hergé's, Spielberg and Jackson's Adventures of Tintin...

Given that Tintin is over 80 years old he’s kept his boyish looks. I was introduced to the Tintin books in my youth after borrowing a friends hardback comic strip book, I also watched the cartoon series. While my friend collected the series reprints my focus was on Asterix the Gaul bashing Romans, looking back Tintin’s sophisticated satire and political/cultural commentary went over my head and I was more into comic book super heroes. Nevertheless, I was excited to hear that Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg were bringing Tintin to life. Here are a few thoughts on the latest incarnation...

Courageous reporter Tintin, Snowy and Captain Haddock set off on a treasure hunt for three scrolls hidden within a model ships while fending off the villainous Sakharine.

There's something delightfully wonderful about the visual experience that Steven Spielberg's Tintin offers yet it is still a stilted adventure. Based on Hergé's comic book series Tintin is a celebrated European character (much like Asterix the Gaul which would be amazing if produced in the same medium). John Williams gives a solid yet Indiana Jones sounding score. The characters are wonderfully faithful and the detailed CGI cast really capture their spirit successfully. There is an array of famous actors Jamie Bell(Tintin), Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig to name a few and their voices and movement really bring the characters to life.

It's an immense first outing for Tintin, although like Spielberg's use of the motion capture technology, it feels like it's trying to find its feet. You can't but help feel that the first instalment may have fared better

under Jackson's direction (given his experience with the technology) overlooked by Steven's watchful eye. Then have Spielberg direct the next one. However, it wasn't meant to be. With all the focus on the action there is little mystery that Tintin is renowned for and while the action is wonderful along with the slapstick comedy there's something missing that writers Moffat, Wright and Cornish exclude and that is a

true sense of mystery.

Although it has some awe-inspiring set ups it is just not as fun or as intriguing as you'd possibly expect given Hergé's source material.