The Adventures of Tintin

Like many in the U.S., I never heard of the comic book character Tintin prior to Steven Spielberg’s recent film The Adventures of Tintin.

The good news is that this is an enjoyable film which Tintin fans will embrace and prompt those who never heard of the character to begin reading the comics by Belgian artist Herge.

This film, the first animated feature directed by Spielberg, deals with the exploits of the title character (voiced by Jamie Bell) who is an adventurous young journalist. He and his dog Snowy learn of the mysterious fate of a ship called the Unicorn when Tintin purchases a replica of it. He later finds a piece of parchment in the model with an important message. This message is also being pursued by the sinister Sakharine (Daniel Craig). With the aid of perpetually drunk Capt. Haddock (Andy Serkis), Tintin races against time to find the secret of the Unicorn before Sakharine can.

Spielberg became a Tintin fan when he filmed Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). Indeed, there are moments here that are as thrilling as any in the Indiana Jones series.

Wisely, the film was released in Europe months before coming to the U.S. since the Tintin fans in that part of the world would determine (via theater attendance) if the film did justice to the beloved comic series. Given the positive reception it has gotten there, I’d say it’s safe to say that the film accomplished just that. A sequel is already in the works, which Tintin fan Peter Jackson (who produced this film) will direct. I can’t wait to see that.