Martin Scorsese's 'Hugo'

I chose this movie at the start of the year as my most desired to see for 2011 and this first trailer looks tremendous. Martin Scorsese talked in early stages of production about shooting the film in 3D, saying that he researched the use of 3D in movies throughout history and feels that he's found his own way of using the aesthetic. I know that this format has a use besides the traditional way we are seeing now (in big blockbusters for huge explosions, huge shot compositions etc) and when used properly it will give the director greater abilities for storytelling. I just had no idea about how to use it the right way, until I saw this trailer.

I think the way Scorsese is using his visual tools is enhancing the fantasy/fairytale childrens theme of the piece and ads that extra bit of magic to the story. Shot's like that amazing push through the train station (0:32) The breathtaking crane down/turn following Hugo as he slides down the ladder (1:06) as well as the wide shot of Hugo and the little girl in the clocktower (01:55) show a really conscious use of the 3D system. In that last shot in particular you can really see a conscious use of the 3-dementional depth having the cogs of the clocktower in the foreground, the two characters in the midground and the eiffel tower in their background. This is a perfect example of using 3D properly even when the camera isn't moving. Even in 2D this looks breathtaking, Can you imagine how amazing this is going to look in 3D?

I think it's so important when you decide that your picture's end product should be seen in 3D that you should be conscious of the aesthetic from the beginning so you are aware of its capabilities of enhancing your story.  I think that's why films that are converted to 3D are really more of a gimmick because the majority of the time the shots that look amazing are usually the epic camera moves or big explosions, etc. When you understand what you can create with it then you'll begin to create shots (like that 01:55 clocktower wide) that you would never have thought of if you were shooting in 2D.

This story is also VERY different to what Scorsese usually creates, which is just another example of his growth. He continues to extend into so many different genres of film, he's literally showing us that he can do anything. He's chosen an amazing cast for it as well including Ray Winstone, Sascha Baron Cohen, Ben Kinglsey, Jude Law and an extremely talented young actor named Asa Butterfield for the lead character, Hugo. Scorsese's regular collaborators Robert Richardson (D.O.P) and Dante Ferreti (Production Designer) have also done an amazing job on the entire look of the film.

From what I can see already it seriously has nailed all aspects of what it takes to create an amazing picture, October can't come soon enough!