Hugo (2011)

All Critics (203) | Top Critics (42) | Fresh (192) | Rotten (13) | DVD (3)

Being a hardcore cinephile (like Scorsese) might add a layer of enjoyment, but it certainly isn't a prerequisite for walking in the door. A sense of wonder, however, is.

January 3, 2012 Full Review

Christy Lemire

Associated Press

Top Critic

Scorsese transforms this innocent tale into an ardent love letter to the cinema and a moving plea for film preservation.

December 1, 2011 Full Review | Comments (8)

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

'Hugo': Scorsese's humbling hommage to his favorite art

November 30, 2011 Full Review | Comment (1)

Joe Baltake

Passionate Moviegoer

Top Critic

It might be curtains for celluloid, but Scorsese, a boyish 69, clearly isn't leaving the stage any time soon. He directs every film with the passion of his first. And it shows.

November 29, 2011 Full Review | Comment (1)

Cath Clarke

Time Out

Top Critic

Thematic potency and cinematic virtuosity -- the production was designed by Dante Ferretti and photographed by Robert Richardson -- can't conceal a deadly inertness at the film's core.

November 28, 2011 Full Review | Comments (166)

Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

Top Critic

For all the wizardry on display, Hugo often feels like a film about magic instead of a magical film...

November 28, 2011 Full Review | Comment (1)

David Edelstein

New York Magazine

Top Critic

Scorsese's moving and magical tribute to the pioneers of filmmaking.

March 4, 2013 Full Review

Tom Glasson

Concrete Playground

A children's film for grownups - grownup film buffs.

December 28, 2012 Full Review

Roger Moore

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

A luminous triumph that may just remind you why our hearts leap when the lights go down in a movie theater.

October 22, 2012 Full Review

Erick Weber

NECN

Scorsese is a master storyteller and one of the best directors working today. He doesn't need a gimmick like 3-D to prove this. His films speak more than enough for themselves and "Hugo" is no exception.

September 18, 2012 Full Review

Jeff Beck

Examiner.com

It's an ode to cinema; it's everything that modern cinematic audiences take for granted. This film is Scorsese's gift to an audience that isn't old enough to have ever heard his name.

May 8, 2012 Full Review

Blake Howard

2UE That Movie Show

If you've become a little cynical about going to movies due to inflated ticket prices, Michael Bay films and chatty audiences, Hugo may restore your faith in the wonder of cinema.

March 8, 2012 Full Review | Comment (1)

Cameron Williams

The Popcorn Junkie

a paean to the birth and continual rebirth of movie magic

February 28, 2012 Full Review

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

A disappointing slog from the artist formerly known as Martin Scorsese gets a predictably perfect high-def standing ovation.

February 27, 2012 Full Review

Jaime N. Christley

Slant Magazine

One of the year's very best, Hugo is a rousing, moving, poignant tale being told on many more levels than what is seen on screen.

February 27, 2012 Full Review

R. L. Shaffer

IGN DVD

...it surprised me with its grace, wit, charm, imagination, and sentiment. (Blu-ray edition)

February 26, 2012 Full Review

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

...not only pays tribute to the splendors of filmmaking by talking about them but by demonstrating them. It's a picture for film lovers of all ages.

February 26, 2012 Full Review

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

the most soulful, most personal fiction film in [Scorsese's] career

February 24, 2012 Full Review

Jay Antani

Cinema Writer

Hugo is far too charming, welcoming and beautiful to look at to be dismissed as one of those films that critics adore but audiences ignore.

February 23, 2012 Full Review

Matt Neal

The Standard

Uma obra com dupla personalidade que inspira sentimentos conflitantes: é fácil admirá-la intelectualmente, mas difícil abraçá-la emocionalmente.

February 17, 2012 Full Review

Pablo Villaca

Cinema em Cena

den prospathei idiaitera na kalypsei ton yfologiko toy axtarma, dinontas soy thn entypwsh oti h istoria toy hrwa toy den ton endiaferei kai poly

February 17, 2012 Full Review | Comments (2)

Joseph Proimakis

Movies for the Masses

La imaginación y la perfecta ejecución cinematográfica de Martin Scorsese y su equipo de maestros colaboradores son la llave y la puerta de entrada a este cálido homenaje al arte cinematográfico.

February 15, 2012 Full Review

Enrique Buchichio

Uruguay Total

On some very basic levels, Hugo just isn't very good.

February 3, 2012 Full Review | Comments (37)

Tom Clift

Moviedex

This movie is magic and it honors all those magicians like Martin Scorcese who make dreams we can all share.

February 2, 2012 Full Review

Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

Scorsese's unlikely 3D family film takes an agreeably pragmatic stance, that we must embrace the past yet never deny progress.

January 25, 2012 Full Review

Shaun Munro

What Culture

A movie that needs to be appreciated for its finer aspects and deeper meaning if it is to be appreciated properly, which is noble enough but could feel exclusive to some.

January 13, 2012 Full Review

Tim Martain

The Mercury

• 1. Theatre Manager: What are you two rats doing in here? [throws Hugo and Isabelle outside] Better not see you in here again!
  – Submitted by Mike R (4 months ago)
• 1. Isabelle: This might be an adventure, and I've never had one before - outside of books, at least.
  – Submitted by Mike R (4 months ago)
• 1. Station inspector: We'll let the orphanage deal with you
  2. Hugo Cabret: No! I don't belong there!
  3. Station inspector: Where do you belong then? A child has to belong somewhere!
  4. Hugo Cabret: Listen to me! Please, please listen to me! You don't understand! You have to let me go. I don't understand why, why father died, why I'm alone. It is my only chance.. to work. [looks at the Inspector's artificial leg] You should understand!
  5. Georges Méliès: I do. I do. Monsieur, this child belongs to me.
  – Submitted by Fred M (4 months ago)
• 1. Hugo Cabret: I need to know what this means!
  – Submitted by Mike R (5 months ago)
• 1. Isabelle: I wonder what my purpose is...
  2. Hugo Cabret: Everything has a purpose, clocks tell you the time, trains takes you to places. I'd imagine the whole world was one big machine. Machines never come with any extra parts, you know. They always come with the exact amount they need. So I figured if the entire world was one big machine... I couldn't be an extra part. I had to be here for some reason. And that means you have to be here for some reason, too.
  – Submitted by Nicolò G (8 months ago)
• 1. Isabelle: I wonder what my purpose is.
  – Submitted by Pam T (13 months ago)