I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

I appreciate the fact that Hugo is a love letter to early film history, but that doesn't excuse it from being tediously drawn-out. The characters' constant refusal to share information with each other is the only reason the already thin story is allowed to drag on. The second half is better than the first half and there are some good performances and fun visuals, but I wasn't overly impressed with this film.

I have tried to watch this film three or four times and I can only last 15-20 minutes at best before wanting to pick up the phone and call Martin Scorcese. It is certainly a visually stunning movie, but not much else. The story line is pathetic and the choice of actors (esp. Sacha Cohen) destroys any interest I might hope to give it. The reason I dislike it so much has perhaps something to do with my vision of art. Art serves no purpose other than to distract from reality, hence it's not worth participating in. However, I can see how an art lover might appreciate Hugo - we would just never get along.

Hugo, an orphan child living in some hidden tunnels in a train station gets into trouble while trying to fix a robot which may elucidate the mystery of his father's death. Meanwhile, he befriends the adopted daughter of a local toy repair store owner which has a couple of mysteries of his own. His adventure will prove to be more tangled than he expected as more and more clues and connections are revealed.It's an emotional and dramatic story which follows an ingenious little boy and his everyday struggles. His adventures are presented in style, in a very atmospheric place, the train station. It has soul, it looks great and it has some very good actors. You get eager to find out what will happen to Hugo right from the beginning which creates some sort of a bond, a great feeling. The finale is as surprising and satisfying as it is unexpected. The mystery surrounding his father's past, together with the one from the repair shop owner will definitely prove worthwhile. A very good movie, no doubt about it.

If you ever want a different Christmas film, try a bit of fairy tale steam punk escapism, suitable for all ages (directed by Martin Scorsese, no less, produced by Johnny Depp). Look out for Ray Winstone (and many others) too, having a bit of a ball in their roles...And if you need a box of tissues for something like ET, get a laundry room for this, for laughing and crying. It's got books, old cinema, automata, a lot of France and a whole load of magic.This is as close to perfection as I've seen. It would be perfect in a double-bill with The City of Lost Children.