“If you must blink, do it now” is the first line that audiences hear in the recently released “Kubo and the Two Strings” film. The warning given to viewers in this stop-motion animated film is not wrong—you do not want to miss a second if it.

The story follows a young, one-eyed boy named Kubo who uses a magical shamisen, a Japanese three stringed lute, and origami to tell stories to people in villages near the cave he and his mother reside in. Kubo and his mother are on the run from his grandfather and aunts because they stole one of his eyes and have been on the hunt for the second one. Soon after the movie begins, Kubo breaks his mother’s rule of staying out after sun down, which causes his grandfather and aunts to find him. Kubo’s mother uses the last of her draining powers to save Kubo and give him a protector: a stern-voiced, overprotective monkey. Kubo then starts a journey to find three pieces of armor that should protect him from his relatives. Along the way, Kubo runs into a cursed, samurai insect man who promises to look after him. In his journey, Kubo gains more important things than armor—family, love, and full control of his powers.

Because “Kubo” is animated most people would assume that its target audience is kids, but I would disagree. The film’s animation itself is a piece of art. The stop-motion animation is by far the most advanced and visually appealing of all the Laika

films, following Coraline and Paranorman. In my opinion, children may be too young to appreciate the all the work that went into producing the characters and settings.

I think adults can better appreciate the story line as well. The wit and comic relief added into certain characters, along with the darkness and evil inside others, is something that adults can better relate to. The storyline has more complex themes and character developments than a story like “Frozen” or any other Disney movie that children would be more accustomed to. As an adult watching the film, I can better comprehend the loss and struggles that this young boy faces, and I empathize with him. This young boy also helped me realize that even in serious situations, it’s okay to laugh at yourself and be young. This film definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat, and like the warning states, you will not want to blink.