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THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORNMovie Reviews
Animated 3D motion capture film about the intrepid young reporter whose relentless pursuit of a good story thrusts him into a world of high adventure. Cast:Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig, Nick Frost, Simon PeggDirector:Steven SpielbergRelease Date:December 21, 2011DVD Release:March 13, 2012From:ParamountRating:PGLength:1 hr 40 minIn 3D
MARCH 13, 2012
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn, Good Reviews, Mixed
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn played to good reviews that at the same time were mixed. • Dana Stevens wrote for Slate, "...overstuffed and busy, its charm a little calculated... But it's a rollicking yarn told with scads of invention and energy..." • And Calvin Wilson wrote in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "...stylishly done, but careful not to get too artsy.... it's a treasure." More Reviews Below...
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn Positive Reviews (50 Reviews, reviews below)
Richard Corliss, Time: EXCELLENT "...motion-capture, which transforms actors into cartoon characters in a vividly animated landscape, is the technique Spielberg has been waiting for..."(See all of Richard Corliss's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,380 words, 12/21/11
Jill Lawless, Associated Press: VERY GOOD(cg) "...a nostalgia-tinged romp, blending thrilling chases, quirky characters and sly humor -- a sort of 'Young Indiana Jones: Brussels Edition.' "(See all of Jill Lawless's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 644 words, 10/20/11
Mara Reinstein, Us Weekly: MODERATE(cg) "...the dizzying flying, jumping and fighting impress -- but the bells and whistles come at the expense of multidimensional characters and an engrossing plot."(See all of Mara Reinstein's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 70 words, 12/22/11
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: MODERATE(cg) "...the trouble with 'Tintin' is that we're always on the outside, looking in. What all that motion can't capture is our hearts."(See all of Owen Gleiberman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 513 words, 12/09/11
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...comes at you in a whoosh, like a volcano of creative ideas in full eruption.... hits home for the kid in all of us who wants to bust out and run free."(See all of Peter Travers's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 211 words, 12/09/11
Claudia Puig, USA Today: MODERATE(cg) "...kicks off with a sense of playfulness, then spirals into a frantic pace.... while the technical artistry is there, the film lacks a sense of magic, intrigue and mystery."(See all of Claudia Puig's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 397 words, 12/21/11
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: OUTSTANDING(cg) "I was surprised by how much I enjoyed myself.... It's an ambitious and lively caper, miles smarter than your average 3-D family film..."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 791 words, 12/21/11
Glenn Kenny, MSN Movies: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...sufficiently generic as to only be offensive if you're looking to be offended... also earns points for being the least creepy motion-capture movie I've ever seen..."(See all of Glenn Kenny's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 536 words, 12/15/11
James Berardinelli, Reel Views: VERY GOOD(cg) "...an unplayable video game that's fast-paced and amusing but never comes close to the best director Steven Spielberg has offered when in his 'pure entertainment' mode."(See all of James Berardinelli's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 905 words, 12/19/11
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (14 Reviews)
Manohla Dargis, New York Times: FAIR "...a marvel of gee-wizardry... proves less than inviting because it's been so wildly overworked: there is hardly a moment of downtime, a chance to catch your breath..."(See all of Manohla Dargis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,133 words, 12/21/11
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...spectacularly constructed... But as is often the case with this format, the motion-capture animation feels weirdly lifeless."(See all of Elizabeth Weitzman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 376 words, 12/21/11
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "...combines a sweet sense of childlike wonder and pureness of heart with the most worldly and sophisticated of modern technology.... it's just a whole lot of fun."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 705 words, 12/21/11
Lou Lumenick, New York Post: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...a simple, classic adventure yarn, cleanly and expertly told... one of the year's most pleasurable, family-friendly experiences, a grand thrill ride of a treasure hunt."(See all of Lou Lumenick's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 612 words, 12/21/11
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: MODERATE(cg) "...takes place somewhere in the uncanny valley of a dubious creative decision. Much of the action and violence has a clinical, photo-realistic quality..."(See all of Michael Phillips's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 547 words, 12/21/11
John Anderson, New York Newsday: MODERATE(cg) "...a frenetic bonbon with an empty center... it's hard to imagine a movie with humans being this tiresome -- or depressing -- in its failure to generate magic."(See all of John Anderson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 384 words, 12/21/11
David Edelstein, New York Magazine: OUTSTANDING "At the end of two hours, my jaw ached from grinning.... Spielberg at his best is like Einstein, Rube Goldberg, and Orson Welles rolled into one."(See all of David Edelstein's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 719 words, 12/19/11
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: OUTSTANDING(cg) "I was surprised by how much I enjoyed myself.... It's an ambitious and lively caper, miles smarter than your average 3-D family film..."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 791 words, 12/21/11
Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice/LA Weekly: MODERATE "...something has been lost in the digital transfer... The Tintin character is something like a blank spot at the movie's center..."(See all of Nick Pinkerton's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 455 words, 12/21/11
Linda Barnard, Toronto Star: VERY GOOD(cg) "...an animated picture that's as crisp and vibrant as reality, enlivened with cartoon-like touches and punches of sharp humour."(See all of Linda Barnard's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 559 words, 12/21/11
Kate Taylor, Toronto Globe & Mail: MODERATE(cg) "...misses much of Hergé's sometimes subtle wit.... there is a decided lack of clear lines in this erratic movie adaptation of his work."(See all of Kate Taylor's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 636 words, 12/21/11
Norman Wilner, Toronto Now: EXCELLENT(cg) "...a ripping adventure... It's thrilling - and, incidentally, a much more satisfying follow-up to Spielberg's original 'Indiana Jones' trilogy than that thing with the crystal skulls."(See all of Norman Wilner's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 218 words, 12/15/11
KEY CITIES (13 Reviews)
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...the motion-capture technology, while impressive, is almost too silkily seamless.... On the surface, the film is unimpeachable, but the surface is where it stays."(See all of Ann Hornaday's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 591 words, 12/21/11
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: VERY GOOD(cg) "...an extravagant, eye-popping romp that uses motion-capture technology to bring this gallant teen and his gang of friends and foes to the screen."(See all of Steven Rea's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 631 words, 12/21/11
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star-Tribune: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...a tightly edited avalanche of thrills... Spielberg's first venture into animation is his most delightful dose of pure entertainment since 'Raiders of the Lost Ark.' "(See all of Colin Covert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 556 words, 12/21/11
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic: VERY GOOD(cg) "...a marvel to look at... In some ways it recalls Spielberg's 'Indiana Jones' adventures, though more manic, if you can imagine such a thing."(See all of Bill Goodykoontz's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 519 words, 12/21/11
Stephen Whitty, New Jersey Star-Ledger: MODERATE(cg) "...while I've heard some viewers comparing the film to 'Raiders of the Lost Ark,' this movie has none of that giddy sense of adventure..."(See all of Stephen Whitty's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 600 words, 12/21/11
Amy Biancolli, San Francisco Chronicle: OUTSTANDING(cg) "The effects suit the material perfectly - while Tintin and his compatriots appear broad-stroked and cartoonish, their surroundings are cast in vivid detail..."(See all of Amy Biancolli's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 433 words, 12/21/11
Soren Andersen, Seattle Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "The picture permitted Spielberg to recapture the spirit of the fastest-moving and most purely enjoyable movie of his career, 'Raiders of the Lost Ark.' "(See all of Soren Andersen's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 456 words, 12/20/11
Shawn Levy, Portland Oregonian: EXCELLENT(cg) "...roars into action after only a few minutes and never lets up, providing the sort of joyride that you can experience only at the movies."(See all of Shawn Levy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 671 words, 12/21/11
Calvin Wilson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: VERY GOOD(cg) "...stylishly done, but careful not to get too artsy.... as a tale of a boy, his dog and their battles with bad guys, it's a treasure."(See all of Calvin Wilson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 298 words, 12/21/11
Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: VERY GOOD(cg) "...may seem frenetic and exhausting... But the movie is never confusing or off-putting the way Michael Bay's contraptions are... the relentless pace is a big part of the fun."(See all of Rene Rodriguez's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 656 words, 12/21/11
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (10 Reviews)
Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice/LA Weekly: MODERATE "...something has been lost in the digital transfer... The Tintin character is something like a blank spot at the movie's center..."(See all of Nick Pinkerton's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 455 words, 12/21/11
Katey Rich, Cinema Blend: OUTSTANDING(cg) "Fleet and thrilling... Spielberg's most purely joyful film in at least a decade.... captures some of the purest feelings of joy you can get at the movies."(See all of Katey Rich's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 628 words, 12/19/11
Peter Keough, Boston Phoenix: MODERATE(cg) "...followers of Spielberg might regard it as a second-rate, animated 'Indiana Jones'.... Some of the chase sequences are diverting enough to remind you that it's in 3D."(See all of Peter Keough's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 149 words, 12/22/11
Stephanie Zacharek, Movieline: VERY GOOD(cg) "...winning in a rousing, let's-hunt-down-a-treasure way, once you get past -- if you can -- the 'Polar Express'-style creepiness of the animated figures..."(See all of Stephanie Zacharek's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 907 words, 12/21/11
Bill Weber, Slant: VERY GOOD(cg) "...stays sprightly for nearly 90 minutes of state-of-the-art escapism... the animated equivalent of a rollicking Indy adventure while honoring Hergé's buoyant myth."(See all of Bill Weber's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 563 words, 12/04/11
Norman Wilner, Toronto Now: EXCELLENT(cg) "...a ripping adventure... It's thrilling - and, incidentally, a much more satisfying follow-up to Spielberg's original 'Indiana Jones' trilogy than that thing with the crystal skulls."(See all of Norman Wilner's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 218 words, 12/15/11
Curt Holman, Atlanta Creative Loafing: WEAK(cg) "...surprisingly dull, and the script doesn't deliver the laughs you'd expect from three of the cleverest Brits in show business (Stephen Moffat, Edgar Wright, and Joe Cornish)."(See all of Curt Holman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 142 words, 12/21/11
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher: MODERATE(cg) "...looks and feels like cut scenes from a video game. I want to see characters whom I care about, who are on adventures that mean something."(See all of MaryAnn Johanson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 820 words, 10/26/11
HIGHBROW PRESS (7 Reviews)
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...appealingly earnest... Yet the action grows wearisome as it grinds on, and the film becomes a succession of dazzling set pieces devoid of simple feelings."(See all of Joe Morgenstern's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 299 words, 12/23/11
Manohla Dargis, New York Times: FAIR "...a marvel of gee-wizardry... proves less than inviting because it's been so wildly overworked: there is hardly a moment of downtime, a chance to catch your breath..."(See all of Manohla Dargis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,133 words, 12/21/11
David Denby, New Yorker: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "Visually, the movie has ease and speed and lift, and, for about an hour, it's an exhilarating ride.... [but] it never stops moving.... it's exhausting..."(See all of David Denby's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 770 words, 12/05/11
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "...combines a sweet sense of childlike wonder and pureness of heart with the most worldly and sophisticated of modern technology.... it's just a whole lot of fun."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 705 words, 12/21/11
Dana Stevens, Slate: GOOD "...overstuffed and busy, its charm a little calculated... But it's a rollicking yarn told with scads of invention and energy, not to mention a technical marvel of the first order."(See all of Dana Stevens's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,143 words, 12/21/11
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon: MODERATE "...a work by two important filmmakers in tribute to a unique and peculiar artist. That doesn't mean it was worth doing, in the end... an intriguing technical curiosity."(See all of Andrew O'Hehir's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,092 words, 12/20/11
MOVIE INDUSTRY (6 Reviews)
Leslie Felperin, Daily Variety: OUTSTANDING "Spielberg has fashioned a whiz-bang thrill ride... largely honors the innocent, gung-ho tone of the original stories, with their air of boyish derring-do..."(See all of Leslie Felperin's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,210 words, 10/16/11
Jordan Mintzer, Hollywood Reporter: EXCELLENT "...a visually dazzling adaptation... a witty, globe-trotting treasure hunt featuring the sleuthing boy reporter, his trusted fox terrier, and a cast of catchy side characters."(See all of Jordan Mintzer's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,223 words, 10/16/11
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "...combines a sweet sense of childlike wonder and pureness of heart with the most worldly and sophisticated of modern technology.... it's just a whole lot of fun."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 705 words, 12/21/11
Emanuel Levy, Cinema 24/7: EXCELLENT(cg) "...in terms of visual and other pleasures, 'Tintin' does proud to mainstream cinema - the kind of film that Hollywood still does better than any other national cinema."(See all of Emanuel Levy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 884 words, 10/20/11
Manohla Dargis, New York Times: FAIR "...a marvel of gee-wizardry... proves less than inviting because it's been so wildly overworked: there is hardly a moment of downtime, a chance to catch your breath..."(See all of Manohla Dargis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,133 words, 12/21/11
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...appealingly earnest... Yet the action grows wearisome as it grinds on, and the film becomes a succession of dazzling set pieces devoid of simple feelings."(See all of Joe Morgenstern's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 299 words, 12/23/11
21.2 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn's reviews are separated by an average 21.2 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (50 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn's reviews cover 86.8% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 30,801 words involume (average is 20,194 words). Length:The film's reviews average 616 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn Coverage, Volume & Length (50 Reviews, reviews below)
Reviews Broke 8 Days Before Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn's reviews on average broke 8 days before opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn's opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (50 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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