This film is recommended.

The Boxtrolls, a well-crafted stop motion animation film combined with the latest CGI advances, is an entertaining but somewhat safer and slightly sanitized film from Laika, the same studio that delivered Coraline and ParaNorman, two earlier children's film with a twisted Gothic edge. A pleasant antidote to the cheery Disney fare regularly served to the young set, the film is diverting fun.

There are still twists and turns in the film but it's less of a giddy roller coaster ride than expected. Based on Alan Snow's novel, Here Be Monsters, the darker tone of the book has been substantially altered and lightened up for a more crowd-pleasing effect, although there are some grotesque moments that may frighten the little ones.

Moviegoers are immediately transported to the dingy squalor of brick factories and small shoppes that line the cobblestone streets of Dicken's Ole Victorian London town, or, in this case, renamed Cheesebridge. The upper and lower class live here, both in fear of the Boxtrolls, a lower lower subspecies that dwell underground who are part monster, part cardboard. Living amidst them is Eggs, an abandoned child who was lovingly raised by these creatures that roam the night to recycle the discarded refuse left by people. They avoid human contact as much as possible. Who can blame them! There is the haughty and aristocratic Lord and Lady Portley-Rind, their inquisitive and precocious daughter, Winnie, and especially Archibald Snatcher, a scheming and hateful villain whose main goal is to do away with all Boxtrolls!

As with most animated films nowadays, the visual elements are far superior to the narrative story. The Boxtrolls are not the exception. While the script has some clever dialog, an involving tale, and its charming characters, the plot becomes too formula-driven and conventional. The screenplay by Irena Brignull and Adam Pava relies too heavily on slapstick and chase sequences rather than developing any deep characterizations. The Boxtrolls themselves lack any real distinctive personalities and that British droll humor is in short supply. Everything seems a tad too predictable and ordinary, except for the artistry of the filmmakers and their wonderful details with the elaborate settings, steam-punk gadgetry, and off-beat characters. Special kudos to the remarkable production design by Paul Lasaine.

The voice-over work by the actors (Isaac Hempstead-Wright, Elle Fanning, Jared Harris, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Tracy Morgan) is highly accomplished and adds even more joy to the film, especially with Sir Ben Kingley's marvelous line delivery as the nasty baddie who completely steals the film. (In fact, Archibald is more interesting than our hero, Eggs, at least, as viewed in this film adaptation. Kingsley has created one of the best animated villains in years, although part of his great performance pays direct homage to Dame Edna.)

Directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi painstakingly create a unique world of grime and clutter. They also allow the surreal elements to emerge to maximum effect, particularly in the underground sequences. Though the film lacks some cohesiveness in its story-telling, The Boxtrolls, more often than not, does think outside the box. With all its creative energy and technical inventiveness on display, even Roald Dahl would be proud. GRADE: B

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I did not expect to love "The Boxtrolls" as much as I did, but I sure did. This is because the film is wholly unique and a gorgeous piece of art from start to finish. While I also enjoyed the weird plot, the look and style is what really caught my fancy.

The film is set in some sort of alternate universe. In this one, boxtrolls are literally cute little trolls who live inside boxes! Despite being shy and harmless creatures, the humans have the idea that they are a danger and have arranged for an evil guy, Archibald Snatcher (voiced by Ben Kingsley) to capture them and get rid of them once and for all. However, a baby that was raised by the boxtrolls named Egg might just be the one to stop this senseless slaughter and prevent Snatcher from realizing his ultimate goal...

This is a film you simply have to see to believe. Like other films by the same production company ("Coraline" and "Paranorman"),this one was made using stop-motion--which is very time consuming. But it's not just the quality of the stop-motion that is great but the wonderful art and design of the characters and town. Plus, the characters are unusual and avoid the usual clichés and is well worth your time.

To me, The Boxtrolls is not as good as Coraline and Paranorman(both pretty brilliant films),which had a touch more charm and imagination, but anyone who enjoyed those two will have no problem enjoying The Boxtrolls just as much. Some of the story's pacing does feel rather rushed, especially for the first thirty minutes or so, and there are a few aimless parts that don't go anywhere, but while it might also be simplistic at times for some(mainly characterisation-wise) there is not much wrong actually that is wrong with The Boxtrolls. The animation is beautifully done and hugely inventive, with a superbly meticulous eye for detail(ie. the troll's glowing eyes) and the designs and dark atmosphere in the visual style make the film a treat to look at. The music is breezy, giving you a real sense of adventure, but there is a haunting quality for the darker moments without being too obvious. The effort made with the animation is matched too generally with the script and story. The script is filled with offbeat wit with some great surreal humour, there is also a lot of heart and warmth(the ending actually did resonate with me) to it too and the messages the film conveys are relevant and used with subtlety while making the point still. The stories for Coraline and Paranorman may be more charming and imaginative but The Boxtrolls is certainly not devoid of those two qualities, there is a darkly surreal atmosphere and some brilliantly wild slapstick created while never being devoid of emotion. The storytelling itself is rushed in places but flows smoothly and is rarely dull(though with the odd aimless stretch),it's also told clearly and I don't actually think there's actually anything for a child to be scared about. If children and adults alike can find something to enjoy here, it's done a good job as a family film. The characters are archetypally simple but still very entertaining, especially Snatcher, the trolls are cute and amusing and the lead characters while a touch wan are likable at least. The voice acting is great from everybody with Ben Kingsley as Snatcher particularly so, he is simply born to voice villains and along with the animation and script is one of the three main high points of the film. Overall, not the best from Laika but plenty of strong entertainment all round. 8/10 Bethany Cox