This is coming from somebody who has found so much to love about all of Laika's films with very little to criticise (not everybody liked 'The Boxtrolls', and to me it is their weakest but it was still very enjoyable).

A good animated film, in my book, should not only have good animation, music score, writing, story, characters and voice acting, but should also make the most of its concept, make one immersed in its world from the get go, entertain and be emotionally investible. 'Kubo and the Two Strings' ticks all of those boxes, and along with 'Zootopia' (or 'Zootropolis' in my country) it is in a completely different league to all the animated films released this year, a competition that has been very much mixed in quality but one where the only one that misfired completely was 'Norm of the North'.

'Kubo and the Two Strings', although a near-masterpiece, is not quite perfect. Pacing occasionally could have been a little tighter, along with a slightly rushed ending, and while the comedy is hugely entertaining and often hilarious there was a stretch where there could have been a little less with that stretch of constant jokes having a somewhat cluttered effect.

On the other hand, there is so much to adore and while Laika's output is remarkably consistent 'Kubo and the Two Strings' is their best yet. It is also a film where reasons for it not doing better at the box-office is perhaps due to marketing that was both not enough and misleadingly not great and perhaps having a concept that somewhat alienated some before release, nothing to do with one country disliking it.

Where 'Kubo and the Two Strings' particularly is in the visuals, which are never less than entrancing and on the whole just out of this world amazing. By far one of the year's best-looking films and the best animated (not as colourful as 'Zootropolis', but a little richer in detail, more intricate and unique for animation this year and overall). It also creates an incredible atmosphere, magical, bold and intimate, and immerses one fully into the world created with the full impact it should. The music score is full of energy, whimsy and pathos, never intrusive or over-bearing but always memorable.

Scripting has a fine mix of humour and emotion. 'Kubo and the Two Strings' is a genuinely funny and entertaining film, but it is also a genuinely moving and emotional one. The story is not flawless in executions, but succeeds more than it misses, with metaphors that are richly interwoven and imagined and has plenty to amuse children and emotionally invest adults. So don't let the concept put you off, there is something for everybody if given a chance. Also don't think it should be that scary for children, there are dark moments but never in a traumatising way.

Characters are rich in character, easy to relate to and quite imaginative, Beetle is particularly memorable. The voice acting is superbly done, with Charlize Theron, Ralph Fiennes (in a tailor-made villain role) and Matthew McConaughey being notable standouts.

Overall, of a remarkably consistent output 'Kubo and the Two Strings' is Laika's best yet and is very close to a masterpiece, also as said in a different league to all the other animated films seen this year, either only second to 'Zootropolis' or in the same class. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Kubo is an one-eyed boy in feudal Japan who tells stories in his village. He returns to his mother every night who warns him never to stay out after dark. An old villager tells him about a lantern festival where they communicate with the dead at night. Kubo stays to talk to his father but he's attacked by two spirits. His mother uses the last of her magic to save him. She sends him on a quest to find his father's armor and gives him monkey as his guardian. They are joined by Beetle who is an amnesic samurai in the form of a beetle.

Laika continues to do its own special style of stop-motion animation. Their blend of physical and computer animation is getting better and becoming a trademark look of its own. It is simply wonderful and it enhances the magical theme of the movie. I love the mystery of the story, the visual, the magic, and the design of the characters. The only problem I have is Monkey's voice. I understand the use of Charlize Theron but her voice sounds wrong for a monkey. The connection with his mother would work perfectly fine without using the same voice. It's a minor annoyance which doesn't take away from the wonder of it all.

"Kubo and the Two Strings" is a lovely film...and even more amazing because it was made mostly utilizing stop-motion. It's obvious that the folks from Laika Studio really cared and worked hard to make the film this artistic and pleasing to the eyes.

The story is about a magical boy who has been kept in hiding for many years. It turns out that the child's grandfather is a cruel supernatural being...and the boy's aunts are intent on capturing the boy. To protect him are a snow monkey, a strange samurai/beetle hybrid and an origami miniature soldier.

The story is very strange...with many unusual elements. Relax....and quickly your brain will stop questioning and you can enjoy the strange, otherworldly tale. Incredibly well animated, a delight to the eyes and a nice story all work together to make this a special film...one that adults can enjoy just as much as their kids.