The Boxtrolls (2014)
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A human boy raised by subterranean trolls must save his unconventional family from a ruthless pest exterminator.
The story
In 1897, in the hilltop city of Cheesebridge in the European country of Norvenia, rumors spread that subterranean trolls known as Boxtrolls have kidnapped and killed a baby. The city's pest exterminator, Archibald Snatcher, strikes a deal with the mayor to exterminate every Boxtroll in exchange for membership in the city's cheese-loving council. In reality, the Boxtrolls are peaceful creatures who emerge at night to scavenge. The leader, Fish, cares for a human baby named Eggs. As Eggs grows up, Snatcher captures several Boxtrolls, leaving Fish distraught. After seeing Eggs with Fish, Snatcher captures Fish, prompting Eggs to sneak to the surface to rescue him.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1897, in the hilltop city of Cheesebridge in Norvenia, the pest exterminator Archibald Snatcher is hired to exterminate the peaceful Boxtrolls, who wear cardboard boxes and scavenge at night. Snatcher captures the Boxtrolls' leader, Fish, who has raised a human boy named Eggs. Eggs rescues Fish and discovers the city's inaccurate portrayal of the trolls. He meets Winifred, the mayor's daughter, who helps him find Snatcher's headquarters. There, Eggs finds the captured Boxtrolls being forced to build a machine for Snatcher. Eggs learns that his biological father, Herbert Trubshaw, was a brilliant inventor who refused to help Snatcher kill the Boxtrolls and was seemingly killed. At a ball for a giant cheese wheel, Eggs tries to reveal his identity but is confronted by Snatcher disguised as Madame Frou-Frou. Snatcher eventually captures the Boxtrolls using a new machine. Eggs finds his father Herbert still alive but insane. Snatcher claims to have destroyed the Boxtrolls and demands the mayor's white hat. However, the Boxtrolls escape the crusher and free Eggs. Snatcher is defeated when he explodes after eating a piece of rare cheese. The townspeople learn the truth, and the Boxtrolls and humans agree to peaceful coexistence.
- First release year
- 2014
- Runtime (minutes)
- 96
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Graham Annable; Anthony Stacchi
- Writers
- Irena Brignull · screenplay; Adam Pava · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Ben Kingsley · Archibald Snatcher; Isaac Hempstead Wright · Eggs Trubshaw; Elle Fanning · Winifred "Winnie" Portley-Rind; Toni Collette · Lady Cynthia Portley-Rind; Jared Harris · Lord Charles Portley-Rind; Nick Frost · Mr. Trout; Richard Ayoade · Mr. Pickles; Tracy Morgan · Mr. Gristle; Simon Pegg · Herbert Trubshaw
- Genres
- stop-motion animated; steampunk; fantasy; comedy
- Themes
- identity; class warfare
- Tone and mood
- offbeat; surreally funny; dark humor; whimsical
- Premise and plot tags
- steampunk; fantasy; comedy; monster movie; orphan story
- Source material / true-story basis
- Alan Snow's 2005 novel Here Be Monsters!
- Content notes
- macabre
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the humor and animation, though some found it charmless or lacking heart.
- Reported review scores
- PostTrak · score: 77%
- Awards and nominations
- Best Animated Film · Academy Awards · nominated; Best Animated Film · Golden Globes · nominated; Best Animated Film · BAFTAs · nominated
- Production trivia
- The script was originally focused on all five species of creatures from the book but was narrowed down to the Boxtrolls because the team felt the other monsters made the script hollow.; The film was the first animated feature film for composer Dario Marianelli.; The film's production involved condensing a 550-page novel into a 90-minute film.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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