Seen it (Paramount decided that releasing it twelve days ahead in Quebec would be a good strategy for hype-building, since Quebec, being French, is in the Tintin Fans world).
Reaction is: loved it. It's a very solid hybrid of several stories
Their version of the characters are generaly good. Of the series mainstay who appear in this one (Tintin, Haddock, the Thom(p)son, Snowy, (Unnamed Surprise), and Nestor...well, I'd say the Thom(p)son are the only two I didn't quite feel. They were good, but they didn't quite fit the Thom(p)son I remember from my book. Maybe as simply as in the graphic design.
(Unnamed Surprise Appearance, for those who have not spoiled themselves) is also very, very, very much as imagined. And the use to which the character is put fit into the plot, and fit with the character. Though the character's trademark quote is missing in the french version, sadly.
Tintin took some getting used to, but eventually started working. He's good, though not particularly amazing.
Haddock isn't so much an acceptable Haddock or a good Haddock...just plain, he's Haddock. THE Haddock, even, at least as far as screen adaptation of the character go. Whatever hesitation I had about the film flew out the (ship's) window when we first heard his drunk singing (through the aforesaid window). One specific joke aside, he is as close to perfect as could be. And since Haddock has always been the chief interesting character in the Tintin series, and doubly so in both Crabs and Unicorn, that means he pretty much carry the whole thing on his back...and does it well.
Snowy was pretty good too, and played his role to perfection.
And all the sight gags of previous album (down to and including a
Lake of the Sharks reference!)in the opening animation were a great way to show "We know what our source material is, and we respect it." As is the very opening scene.
They're playing up the treasure hunt/Indiana Jones angle. I'm curious which of the other books will be used for the rest of the trilogy now.
I mean, beyond the obvious one that's set up at the end of this one.
There aren't that many books set up around that sort of concept in Tintin. There's Unicorn (already used), Red Rackham (duh), kind-of Prisoners of the Sun...elements of Flight 714, maybe? I don't know. And I don'T think we'll see the more political or scientifically outdated (ie, Moon, as wonderful as it was, wouldn't be nearly as interesting to do in the post-Appolo world albums).
Otherwise it was worth watching See it in 2D.
