I can think of only a select few movies this year that I want to have in my personal collection. A very small number of films that I and my family will watch over and over again. Kubo and the Two Strings is one of them.
Even if I hadn’t been invited to attend an advance screening in L.A., even if I hadn’t had the chance to hear Director Travis Knight talk about his love for stop motion animation and his inspiration for this movie, even if I hadn’t been a part of any kind of promotion for this movie, I would still tell you to bring this home for your family.
“Kubo and the Two Strings is an epic action-adventure set in a fantastical Japan from acclaimed animation studio LAIKA. Clever, kindhearted Kubo ekes out a humble living, telling stories to the people of his seaside town. But his relatively quiet existence is shattered when he accidentally summons a spirit from his past which storms down from the heavens to enforce an age-old vendetta. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey and Beetle, and sets out on a thrilling quest to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known. With the help of his shamisen, a magical musical instrument, Kubo must battle gods and monsters, including the vengeful Moon King and the evil twin Sisters, to unlock the secret of his legacy, reunite his family, and fulfill his heroic destiny.”
I’ve mentioned before how much I love stop motion animation. LAIKA Studio does it better than anyone, and Kubo and the Two Strings is the pinnacle of their achievement.
Kubo is such a beautiful movie, both visually and in its story, you’ll want to watch it more than once. You’ll also love going behind the scenes like this. (There are more behind the scenes goodies on the Blu-ray too.)
Special Features
The Blu-ray release of Kubo and the Two Strings comes with a six-part making-of feature, two featurettes, and an audio commentary track from the Director/Producer.
- Kubo’s Journey:
- Introduction by Director/Producer Travis Knight
- Japanese Inspiration – The LAIKA creative team and the cast discuss the inspirations for the story.
- Mythological Monsters – The filmmakers and crew discuss the new techniques they used to create the terrifying antagonists. Learn how each monster differed in scale, design, and execution.
- Braving the Elements – A particularly challenging aspect of filming was animating water and rain effects. Discover how LAIKA was able to animate water in the context of a stop-motion film.
- The Redemptive and Healing Power of Music – Learn how traditional and contemporary musical styles were combined by Academy Award-winning composer Dario Marianelli (Atonement) to infuse the film with such a heartfelt sound.
- Epilogue by Director/Producer Travis Knight – Knight discusses what attracted LAIKA to Kubo and the Two Strings.
- Corners of the Earth – Filmmakers and crew discuss the challenges of the varied landscapes and locations in Kubo and the Two Strings.
- The Myth of Kubo – Cast and filmmakers discuss the story at the core of Kubo and the Two Strings.
- Audio Commentary from Director/Producer Travis Knight.
Win Kubo and the Two Strings on Blu-ray
I love this movie so much, I want to share it with everyone! But for now I only have one Blu-ray copy to give away along with this limited edition collectible featuring animation faces used by LAIKA Studio during the production of Kubo and the Two Strings. Only 275 of these incredible keepsakes were made (comes with a certificate of authenticity).
Enter in the giveaway widget below. This giveaway is open to residents of Canada only, 18+. All the winner’s entries will be verified.
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I love this movie. I would watch it with anyone.
I would watch this movie with my family. We have a movie night each month with the family. This would be a great option.
This is a new one to me but i’m sure the kids know all about them.I want to watch Kubo and the Two Strings with my grandkids!
I would love to watch it with my grandkids
I would watch it with my son who is 36 and autistic
I would like to watch this with my kids.
I’d like to watch this movie with my two boys and my niece! We all love movies like these and I think this is supposed to be be a really good one!
I love to watch Kudo and the Two Strings with my grandchildren
I’d definitely be watching this with my grandchildren, first one set then the next set of grandkids π
I want to watch Kubo and the Two Strings with my husband and daughter.
We saw the previews at the theatre but never got around to watching this movie. I’d watch it with my husband and son and daughter. We all love animated movies.
My latest movie buddy is my little niece Olivia. I would absolutely love to watch this with her! Thank you for the chance
I would watch this movie with my husband. We both love to watch cartoon movies.
I want to watch Kubo with my wife and kids on one of our Friday night family movie nights.
I would watch it with my grandkids. We missed it at the theater.
I would watch Kubo and the The Strings with Miss R, probably multiple times.
I’d love to watch this movie with my husband and our little daughter, and invite our good friends over who also like Japan so they’d appreciate the influences in this film.
I would love to watch Kubo with my sister and husband. My little one is still a little young for it I think (she’s only 1.5 years).
I would love to watch this with my wife and 3 year old daughter!
I’d watch this with my little cousins
I would love to watch Kubo and the Two Strings with my son and husband.
I would watch it with our 3 kids π
i would watch with the step grandkids
I would watch this movie with my family if i won!
I would like to watch Kubo and the Two Strings with my husband, daughter and son.
I would want one of my great grandsons to watch this DVD. He is five. He would love it.
I would watch this with my kids. I think that they would enjoy it.
I would watch it with our 6 year old son.
I would love to watch Kudo and the Two Strings with my children.
I want to watch the movie with my 3 kids.
I want to watch it with my daughter Doll (and hope she actually watches it because I really want to!).
I want to win for my son, William. He really wanted to see it in theatres but we didn’t get the chance. I love having a movie to watch when it is too cold for outside π
I would watch it with my grandson during the holidays.
I would watch it with my nephew!
I would watch Kubo and the Two Strings with my two youngest nephews, though I think the whole family will enjoy this great movie. Thank you for the chance to win. Happy holidays!
I would love to watch Kubo and the Two Strings with my 4 grandchildren!
would be for my nephew. i’m sure he’d like it animated movies are his fav.
I want to watch Kubo with our two granddaughters.
I would love to watch Kubo with my boys.
My kids have not seen the movie, I think they would like it.