When it comes to the Oscars, Academy voters tend to favor heavy historical dramas, high-profile biopics and sweeping epics. However, this year, the most Oscar-nominated film fits in none of those categories: it’s a 3D animated adventure about a 12-year-old French boy named Hugo who lives between the walls of a train station. If Hugo slipped past you when it came out on Thanksgiving, it’s worth checking out now with your crew.
The film represents a departure for director Martin Scorsese, who is better known for gritty dramas like Goodfellas and The Departed. Scorsese was drawn to the story about a boy searching to unlock a secret left to him by his father because of its potential for heart and imagination. You’ll enjoy it because it’s one of the most visually stunning films ever made. James Cameron, the man who worked for years to bring 3D to the next level with Avatar, called the cinematography in Hugo “the best 3D photography I’ve ever seen.”
In addition to its nominations for Best Picture and Best Director, the film also won nods for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Visual Effects, Best Editing, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. Although it’s uncommon for a family-friendly movie to dominate the Academy Awards, Hugo‘s large number of nominations is not surprising. The film was almost universally loved by critics, topping many Best lists for 2011. Many consider it the  most imaginative and visually stunning works of Scorcese’s career.
Thanks to its success in awards nominations, Hugo is now showing again in selected theaters across the country. Grab your crew and make a date to see this film the way it was meant to be enjoyed—on the big screen.