TINTIN IN AMERICA! By: Joshua Davis

Posted: December 18, 2011 | Author: Donald | Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

TINTIN IN AMERICA

Originally published in Le Petit Vingtieme from September 3, 1931-October 20, 1932. Colorized in 1946.

 

Welcome, one and all, to the first of my Tintin discussions here at Rumblespoon. As a good many of you are aware, Steven Spielberg has directed a film based on the Tintin works of Herge. Specifically, it adapts (or, more properly, uses elements of) three of Herge’s comic albums: The Crab With The Golden Claws, The Secret Of The Unicorn, and Red Rackham’s Treasure. The latter two are actually one long adventure and is widely considered to be the greatest Tintin story ever created.

It’s been said, around campfires and family picnics, that Spielberg first became aware of Tintin while he was shooting Raiders Of The Lost Ark. The comics were recommended to him due to their perceived similarity to Indiana Jones and his world. He fell instantly in love, calling it “Indiana Jones for kids”, and snapped up the rights. After that, Spielberg sat on them for years, seemingly working on other projects. Once Spielberg stood up, he had a script commissioned that had Tintin fighting ivory hunters in Africa. Nothing ever came of this, and Spielberg sat back down on the property until now (Some say he was trying to “hatch” an idea!).

Spielberg hired people to egg-sit, while he filmed other movies.

If asked my opinion, Spielberg really wanted to find a way to preserve Herge’s world and style on the screen. This is what led him to the arena of animation — MO-CAP animation. There, with the help of Peter Jackson, he could truly bring Herge’s images to life.

However, this seems to be the first time in history that Spielberg is directing a film that has its roots in something not readily accessible or identifiable to the American public. Sharks? Yes, we know sharks.  World War II? But of course! Aliens? Sure, my cousin was abducted (Or so he would have you beleive.).

I was sittin right here when they came to get me!

But what about  A fearless, French boy reporter that travels the globe to be there as the action happens and do his part to help right wrongs? Most people aren’t familiar. What IS Tintin? Why does Spielberg love this so? Why does the REST OF THE WORLD love this so? Why isn’t America as familiar with this comic strip hero? Solid, concrete answers to those questions either aren’t easy or don’t actually exist, so I decided to take it upon myself to dive into the world of Tintin and see what this is all about. How could I do this? I watched the movie…My review is next! Dun Dun Dunnnnnnnnn!!!!

 

Josh Davis has been writing for years…some of his best work has been done underwater!

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