DVD OF THE WEEK

Kubo And The Two Strings (Cert PG, 102 mins, Universal Pictures (UK) Ltd, Animation/Fantasy/Action/Drama, on-demand from various streaming services then from January 16, available to buy on DVD £19.99/Blu-ray £24.99/3D Blu-ray £24.99)

Featuring the voices of: Art Parkinson, Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey, Ralph Fiennes, Rooney Mara.

Kubo (voiced by Art Parkinson) lives in a cave with his mother Sariatu (Charlize Theron), a sorceress whose powers have been drained protecting her son from his evil grandfather, Raiden (Ralph Fiennes). Sariatu repeatedly warns Kubo to return home before nightfall but the youngster stays out after sundown in the hope of contacting the spirit of his father. Under the cover of night, Kubo's evil aunts (Rooney Mara) materialise and launch a devastating attack. When the boy regains consciousness, his mother is gone and in her place is Monkey, who has been magically brought to life from a wooden charm. Consequently, Kubo and the primate embark on a noble quest to locate three magical items - the Sword Unbreakable, the Breastplate Impenetrable and the Helmet Invulnerable - accompanied by a forgetful samurai called Beetle (Matthew McConaughey). Kubo And The Two Strings is visually sumptuous and meticulously crafted animated fantasy from Laika Entertainment, creators of Coraline, ParaNorman and The Boxtrolls. Stop-motion precision seamlessly combines with state-of-the-art computer trickery to bring to life a bygone age of feudal loyalty, when men lived and died by the sword. Director Travis Knight and his team offset moments of heartbreak with flashes of dark and twisted humour that might be too scary for very young viewers. These gentle jolts are punctuated with impressive set-pieces including a fight with a giant skeleton with fiery eyes, and a rain-sodden showdown aboard a ship conjured from swirls of autumnal leaves. Magic and mystery combine to dazzling effect through the detailed, hand-crafted figurines and sets.

Rating: ****