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Kubo and the Two Strings
A visually breathtaking stop-motion fable imbued with grief, magic, and memory. Armed with a shamisen, a young boy folds the tragedies of his past into an origami saga of hope and healing.
Kubo and the Two Strings
Kubo and the Two Strings

"Be bold. Be brave. Be epic."

18 August 2016 United States of America 102 min 7.6 (3,756)

Director: Travis Knight

Cast: Art Parkinson, Charlize Theron, Brenda Vaccaro, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Meyrick Murphy

Animation Family Adventure The Power of Storytelling Grief, Memory, and Loss Compassion vs. Cold Perfection Family and Identity
Budget: $60,000,000
Box Office: $76,249,438

Kubo and the Two Strings — Movie Quotes

Memorable Quotes

Ifyoumustblink, doitnow.Paycarefulattentiontoeverythingyouseeandhear, nomatterhowunusualitmayseem.Andpleasebewarned, ifyoufidget, ifyoulookaway, ifyouforgetanypartofwhatItellyou, evenforaninstant, thenourherowillsurelyperish.
— Kubo

Context

Kubo's opening narration, spoken while he tells his origami story to the villagers and directly addressing the audience.

Meaning

Establishesthefilm'scentralthemeregardingtheimportanceofbearingwitness, storytelling, andremembering[1.1].

Memories are powerful things, Kubo. Never lose it.
— Monkey

Context

Monkey explaining the significance of the hair bracelet Kubo wears, which contains his mother's magic.

Meaning

Highlights the core message that holding onto the memory of loved ones is the truest form of magic and protection.

We grow stronger, the world grows more dangerous. Life has a funny way of keeping things balanced.
— Monkey

Context

Monkey warning Kubo as his magical control over his shamisen and origami improves.

Meaning

A sobering truth about growing up and the responsibilities and perils that come with increased capability.

Oh, Kubo. He doesn't hate you. He wants to make you just like him. Blind to humanity, as I once was. Only then can you take your place beside him as part of his family. Cold and hard, and perfect.
— Monkey

Context

Monkey explaining the Moon King's intentions to Kubo while taking shelter in a cave.

Meaning

Explains the antagonist's twisted motivation and the thematic conflict between flawless immortality and painful, beautiful humanity.

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