Saturday, C4, 11:25am
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (2011) is Steven Spielberg’s rollicking foray into the world of Hergé’s beloved boy reporter, and it’s every bit as charming and audacious as you’d hope. Packed with swashbuckling action, dry wit, and an endearing sense of nostalgia, the film is a love letter to both classic adventure serials and the magic of motion-capture animation. In true Spielberg fashion, Tintin’s globetrotting quest to uncover the mystery of a sunken ship, its secret cargo, and the legacy of the Haddock family is delivered with jaw-dropping set pieces that leave no doubt about the filmmaker’s enduring knack for visual storytelling.
The cast is pitch-perfect: Jamie Bell embodies the titular Tintin with a plucky earnestness that keeps him engaging, while Andy Serkis—mocap royalty, as always—brings a gruff charm to Captain Haddock. Daniel Craig’s deliciously sinister turn as the villainous Sakharine adds a layer of sophistication, though it’s the animation that steals the show. WETA Digital’s wizardry elevates Hergé’s clean, ligne claire style into a world that feels both tactile and dreamlike, with lushly detailed landscapes that seem plucked from an alternate, more adventurous 20th century. Spielberg even gets in a cheeky nod to Indiana Jones, reminding us just how much Tintin influenced his own storytelling DNA.
Now, let’s talk music—because John Williams delivers yet another triumph of a score. Blending a whimsical Parisian flair with the thunderous energy of classic adventure themes, Williams creates a soundscape that’s as nimble as Tintin himself. The track “The Adventures of Tintin” is a particular highlight, a swirling, jazzy number that evokes espionage and intrigue with a playful wink. You’ll hear echoes of Catch Me If You Can in its quicksilver pace, but with a distinctly European twist that feels right at home in Hergé’s world. It’s a rare case of a soundtrack that not only supports the film but feels like an essential character in its own right. A tip of the hat—or perhaps the deerstalker—to Spielberg and Williams for crafting a modern adventure classic that respects its roots while charting its own exhilarating course.
- Noel Chambers