The Adventures of Tintin: The Premiere Screening

Thursday, December 01, 2011
Although my blog is full of food reviews and random shiznits, I personally consider myself a semi-movie buff. Back in 2008 when I was in my first year college, I'd be in SM Cinemas every week, or even twice or thrice a week just to catch the latest movies. Occasionally, I'd even make short (and poorly written) movie reviews back on my old Multiply webhome. But even though I have watched a lot of movies this year, I wasn't so interested in reviewing them. Not until now.


Getting free invites for a premiere screening was a good way to induce me to finally writing a movie review. Thank you so much to Pinoy Exchange for the tickets. (No, they didn't just give them to me. I won 2 tickets through an online contest at PEx.)

Honestly though, I never knew so much about Tintin and his adventures. He's a familiar comics character for me, but I wasn't able to read this Hergén masterpiece nor watch the numerous film renditions since I was probably too young (or even unborn) back then. But since the premiere screening for The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn, is not only free but will also be shown in an IMAX theater.. I was sold!


I didn't research anything about Tintin, nor at least read the movie's synopsis. As my date suggested, better not have any expectation at all so I can see for myself if I'll like the movie for what it is. So come Monday evening, after a hearty lunch at Corniche, we headed to SM North to grace the short-but-still-red carpet in front of the IMAX theater.


We entered the IMAX cocktail area after a few photo ops, and headed to the buffet table. (Three cheers for free food and drinks!)


The caterers were really friendly, and the one serving the macaroni and cheese even insisted on putting more of the food on my plate. There were fish fillet with tartar sauce, creamed chicken dish, and s'more brownies to go along with the carbs. We also had a choice of Coke products or iced tea for beverage.

(This shouldn't be a food review, so I won't nitpick on the food anymore. They're quite good for free food anyway.)



And of course, since we were there not for the food but for the show, we ate everything in a hurry. I even dropped a brownie onto the floor. (Shhhhh...) We entered the IMAX theater a quarter before 8PM, and was anxious that the movie might have already started. Good thing though we live in the Philippines, so the movie actually started a few minutes before 8:30PM.

After GMA 7's cinematic version of Lupang Hinirang.. The 3D wonder started.


Directed by the world-renowned Steven Spielberg, The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn's intro was nothing short of awesome. Deviating from the usual animated starters, the movie opened with a silhouette re-enactment paying homage to the graphic novels. It was simple, yet entertaining.

What followed suit was more eye captivating.

Tintin (Jamie Bell), a courageous young journalist, as well as his witty but cute and furry sidekick Snowy, delved into a mysterious adventure upon buying "The Unicorn," a model ship which housed a very well-kept secret. Along his journey to find answers, he meets Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis) who is actually the key to solve the mystery. All three of them embarks on an adventure, even made more thrilling by a persuasive antagonist, Sakharine (Daniel Craig).

Photo from MovieZit.com
The whole movie was action-packed, yet filled with witty humor. It never had an ignorable portion, especially with the captivating visuals which was completely CGI animated. The animation technology in this film was superb, making use of motion-capture performances by the actors themselves. Every movement of the characters, even Snowy, was believable and almost too realistic. The textures, landscape, and even the smallest details were also done in a very intricately convincing manner. There were parts where I was even fooled by believing the characters were real!

Photo from OnlineMovieShut.com
Another key feature to this film's grandeur is Spielberg's camera angles. Throughout the movie, the framing was unconventional, bold, ambitious.. But it is the reason why viewers would definitely feel every thrilling second of this movie until its very end.

After almost 2 hours of mystery-solving adventure, I became a fan. A fan of Spielberg. A fan of Peter Jackson. A fan of the screenplay writers -- Steven Moffat, Edgar Wright, and Joe Cornish. A fan of Hergé. A fan of Tintin. And a fan of the great Snowy.


Overall, my night at the premiere screening of The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn was nothing less than awesome. Good movie, good cinema, good experience. Now, I can't wait to see this film's sequel.

24 comments:

  1. Ang saya naman! Movie review pero may food pa rin. (=

    So, was Jamie Bell great in it? It's just his voice, I know, but I think he's a great actor. (=

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  2. I love the comics! This is one of the movies I'm planning on watching. Along with the new Muppets. =)

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  3. you should make more movie reviews in the future! we will definitely watch this because of you! :)

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  4. @eccentricerrant: Haha.. May food na included eh, so I thought I should still post their photos.. ^^

    Anyway, I can commend Jamie Bell both for his voice acting and for his actions (since motion capture naman 'to). I think he did a good job as Tintin.. :)

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  5. I want to watch this movie! The food looks great sis. I know you had a great time. Btw, you look so pretty and charming. :)

    and sis thanks for making me a button link. you're so sweet! <3 xoxo

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  6. wanna watch this movie too... will drag my son to it this weekend :)

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  7. I will surely like this movie! :) syang d tyo nkameet today! Maybe next time :)

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  8. Cool! Buffet + Imax 3D movie? What a blast! Review this movie at my blog too cause its so awesome!

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  9. Hello! Your site really interesting, especially the pictures I really to links your site,

    From Creativity Has no Limit

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  10. I loved the movie. I was in awe of its beautiful details. I loved Captain Haddock's voice actor (Gollum from LOTR). He's such a talented man.

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  11. waah swerte mo naman! i really want to watch this movie at imax pero can't afford ako ngayun :(

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  12. Wow, the food looks way better here than in my other press screenings. Haha. Seriously.

    I'd see the movie again! Just like you, I became a Tintin fan. :) Thanks for dropping by my site! Nice review!

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  13. Been seeing good reviews of this film. I think this was from the creators of Polar express too which didn't impress me so reading reviews made me curious. Hope to watch this with the kids. Thanks for the share!

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  14. Match na match talaga ang food at movie. Hehehe. I love your review. Can't wait to much this movie. Nakakaexcite after reading your review. :)

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  15. Wow, I love the way you write and do the review. :) I am not really a fan of such movies, but I think I might watch it if I chance upon its showing on TV. ;)

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  16. nice review, you definitely convinced me to watch this movie..

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  17. i love the food! hehe , halatang matakaw.

    my kids and i plan to watch the movie the next few weeks if still showing. :)

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  18. Wow lucky you, you won free premier tickets! Congrats! :))

    My friend already told me about that and she really wants us to watch it. I do like animated films because I am so amazed with how the animation was made. Aside from that, I am also after the story. These kind of stories are one of the best movies to watch out for. I will totally look into that! :)

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  19. Parang mas masarap yung food sa special screening sa SM North...hehehe...Tintin rocks. :)

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  20. congratulations of winning the ticket plus the food, Iam gonna watch them too

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  21. Hope I could find time to watch it this weekend :)

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  22. Фильм Титаник впервые вышел в прокат в 1997 году. Сегодня зрителям преставилась уникальная возможность оценить новое качество киноленты в формате 3D. История величайшего из лайнеров в фильме-катастрофе Джеймса Кэмерона. Спешите в кинотеатры!

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  23. That's cool, I would be happy to watch this movie premier but first I wanna know where to watch Christmas Class Reunion online? because I have read many good reviews for it.

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