HOLLYWOOD—Animated flicks are continuing to push the boundaries when it comes to visual effects. The 3D stop motion animated flick “The Boxtrolls” gives adults and kids a new vision on just where technology is heading.  The tale revolves around Eggs (voice of Isaac Hempstead-Wright) who mingles amongst the Boxtrolls, a group of trolls who hit the town at night to rummage through trash.

This movie is one that examines a tale of tolerance, but also misperception. In the town of Cheesebridge, the residents are already running rampant about the theory of the trolls kidnapping children and killing them. This urban legend is based on the town’s history that the Trubshaw Baby vanished 11 years earlier.

Eggs is not frightened by the Boxtrolls, as he is raised by Fish (voice of Dee Bradley Baker) who cares for him as if he is his own. While we have our protagonists, we also have a fun villain in Archibald Snatcher (Ben Kingsley) who is a cheese lover. He barters a deal with Lord Portley-Rind (voice of Jared Harris) who has a disgruntled daughter in Winnie (voice of Elle Fanning).

Her father’s desire to ignore her causes Winnie to get rid of his hat, which leads to her encounter with Eggs. Being the great pest exterminator that he is, Snatcher captures Fish, which propels Eggs, Winnie and the rest of the Boxtrolls to work together to free him.

As the mystery of Eggs’ true identity comes to light, secrets about Snatcher, and Eggs’ father, Herbert (voice of Simon Pegg) come to light. A few of the revelations are quite surprising to say the least. This movie delivers a narrative that is quite compelling to say the least thanks to a clever screenplay by Irena Bringnull and Adam Pava.

I found myself eager to see the final outcome of the movie, but even more tickled by the visual prowess thanks to directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi. This is no easy task to accomplish, but it’s done so well that as a movie lover you appreciate what has been captured on film.

There are quite a few hilarious moments in the movie, most thanks to the idea of cheese being a commodity that so many people appreciate. I’ve heard of cheese lovers, but this movie sheds an interesting light on enthusiasts of the diary product. The idea of intertwining cheese lovers with trolls underground who are trash lovers is an odd pairing, but it works because you never expect it.

“The Boxtrolls” is not just a fun movie with a message; it sheds light on a few things that youngsters and even adults can implement into their daily lives: never judge a book by its cover.