Kubo and the Two Strings

Kubo is a young boy living a quiet life in ancient Japan, caring for his ailing mother who suffers from fading memories. He entertains the local villagers by using his magical shamisen to bring origami to life, telling legendary tales of his late father, a great samurai warrior. However, a strict rule—never stay out after dark—keeps him hidden from his vengeful grandfather, the Moon King, and his sinister aunts.

When Kubo accidentally breaks this rule, he is thrust into a perilous quest to locate his father's magical suit of armor, the only thing that can protect him. Accompanied by a no-nonsense Monkey and an amnesiac samurai Beetle, Kubo battles terrifying monsters and his malevolent family. Throughout his journey, he uncovers the profound truth about his history and learns that the enduring power of memories is the ultimate magic.

The director, Travis Knight, uses Kubo and the Two Strings to explore the transformative power of storytelling and the necessity of confronting grief. The film posits that memories of our loved ones are the most potent magic we possess. Rather than running from the pain of loss, embracing those memories allows the dead to live on within us, providing the strength to face an often cruel world with compassion and humanity.

One of the most discussed alternative interpretations surrounds the film's ending, where the defeated Moon King is stripped of his memory and the villagers collectively lie to him, telling him he was a kind and generous man. Some viewers interpret this act not as a beautiful redemption, but as a morally ambiguous or even hypocritical manipulation. From this perspective, the villagers are forcing a false identity onto him, erasing his true self—an act uncomfortably similar to the Moon King's own attempt to erase Kubo's humanity. Proponents of this view argue that the 'lies' are actually forgotten truths of human potential, but the debate remains.

Another popular interpretation is a psychological or metaphysical reading of the entire quest. Some audiences posit that both of Kubo's parents actually died in the film's opening sequence or shortly after, and that the entire journey with Monkey and Beetle is a manifestation of Kubo's grief. In this reading, Kubo uses his storytelling magic to cope with his profound trauma, projecting the spirits of his parents into his wooden monkey charm and a samurai beetle to safely guide himself through the psychological process of accepting their deaths.

Kubo and the Two Strings stands as a monumental achievement in stop-motion animation, pushing the boundaries of the medium by seamlessly blending practical puppetry with CGI to create an unprecedented sense of epic scale. Culturally, the film is celebrated for its deep respect for Japanese folklore, art, and spirituality. Director Travis Knight drew heavy inspiration from ukiyo-e woodblock prints, specifically the works of Kiyoshi Saito, as well as origami, Noh theater, and the Obon festival. This dedication to cultural aesthetics positioned the film as a beautiful homage to Japanese heritage.

Critically, the film was universally acclaimed, holding a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, and was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Animated Feature and Best Visual Effects—a rare feat for an animated film. While it was not a massive box-office hit, earning only $77.5 million against a $60 million budget, its legacy has only grown. It is frequently cited as one of the best animated films of the 2010s. Its mature handling of grief, memory, and the philosophy that our deceased loved ones live on through the stories we tell has resonated deeply with audiences, cementing its status as a modern animated classic.

Audiences and critics overwhelmingly praised Kubo and the Two Strings, frequently highlighting its breathtaking visual artistry, intricate stop-motion animation, and emotionally mature narrative. Reviewers on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes (where it holds a 97% approval rating) and Reddit frequently cite it as a masterpiece that doesn't talk down to children, applauding its willingness to tackle complex themes of death, grief, and loss with profound sensitivity and grace.

However, the film did face some criticism. A point of contention for a subset of viewers was the film's ending; some found the villagers' decision to lie to the amnesiac Moon King to be a confusing or ethically questionable resolution to the conflict. Additionally, while the voice acting was praised in isolation, there was mild criticism regarding the casting of predominantly white actors (such as Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey, and Ralph Fiennes) for a film so deeply rooted in Japanese culture and folklore. Despite these critiques, the overall verdict remains overwhelmingly positive, with audiences recognizing it as one of Laika's greatest achievements.