The Boxtrolls

"We're exterminators! Of justice!"
"We exterminate justice!"

The people of the town of Cheesebridge live in fear of the monstrous Boxtrolls that terrorize their town by night.  Archibald Snatcher (Kingsley) is on a mission to rid the town of the Boxtrolls and patrols the streets at night to round up and dispose of any creature found.  He is joined by his red hatted henchmen: philosophical Mr. Trout (Frost), confused Mr. Pickles (Ayoade), and sociopath Mr. Gristle (Morgan).

However, the Boxtrolls are peaceful creatures.  They live under the city and venture out at night to take gadgets from the trash and build things.  Their youngest member is named Eggs (Hempstead Wright), a boy they raised as one of their own.  As the Boxtrolls numbers dwindle, Eggs ventures to the surface during the day where he meets feisty Winnie Portley-Rind (Fanning).  Can Eggs save his friends and the town from Snatcher?

This film is based on the novel Here Be Monsters by Alan Snow.  The filmmakers chose to bring the story to life using 3D stop-motion animation, like the previous films made by Laika: Coraline and ParaNorman.

I liked the voice cast, but I didn't love the look of the film.  The Boxtrolls are cute and endearing, but I don't love the look of the rest of the characters / film.  That being said, the animation team needs to be commended for their attention to detail and all of the work that goes into making a stop-motion film look as smooth.

The best characters, besides the Boxtrolls, are the henchmen.  Nick Frost and Richard Ayoade, who I already love for being British and from their TV roles on Spaced and The IT Crowd respectively, are great as the conflicted Mr. Trout and Mr. Pickles.  Their conversation at the end of the film is hilarious.  And Tracy Morgan is the perfect person to round out the henchmen.  He doesn't say as much, but his Mr. Gristle is equally memorable.  Ben Kingsley is a great choice as the villain, a role he tackles with gusto.  Isaac Hempstead Wright and Elle Fanning carry the film well.

A decent film.

The Boxtrolls (2014) 96 minutes
Director: Graham Annable & Anthony Stacchi
Starring: Ben Kingsley as Archibald Snatcher
Isaac Hempstead Wright as Eggs
Elle Fanning as Winnie Portley-Rind
Nick Frost as Mr. Trout
Richard Ayoade as Mr. Pickles
Tracy Morgan as Mr. Gristle
Jared Harris as Lord Portley-Rind
Simon Pegg as Herbert Trubshaw
Dee Bradley Baker as Fish / Wheels / Bucket
Steve Blum as Shoe / Sparky