Hugo (2011)

I love it when a master filmmaker takes on a maligned genre. And what genre is more maligned than that of the "family film" with its well-worn conventions and sappy sentimentality? Thankfully we have Martin Scorsese steering this ship and any time things begin to approach conventionality, Marty is there to take us in a different direction. Like a great Pixar film this has something for the young and something for the old. For the young there's mystery, adventure and funny animals. For the adults there's the story of an old man who has lost his spark and finds it again. It's a continuous back and forth that keeps things interesting for both audiences. But most importantly this film serves as a means by which to unite both the young and the old in a shared love of early cinema and the importance of preserving it. It uses the latest technologies to make new audiences feel the same excitement for cinema that audiences felt at the medium's inception. This is the perfect film for a cinephile parent to raise their child on.  I wouldn't be surprised if this film is one day credited as having launching numerous careers.