Hugo (2011) ***1/2

I read a lot of conflicting reviews about this film. Many felt it was a masterpiece and many felt it was a disappointment and that Scorsese has become a "hack". I must admit, it doesn't feel like a Scorsese film at all. It's been appropriately compared to the filmmaking style of Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Robert Zemeckis. But I guess I fall in the middle with my opinion about the film.

Many things about it did nothing for me and/or felt a bit pedestrian. Other times I quite enjoyed it and felt emotionally stirred. It's too bad that it didn't quite click because it could have been truly something special. Hugo definitely feels like a film that may improve with repeat viewings though. It's certainly gorgeous and visually interesting.