This film tells the story of clever trolls* who wear cardboard boxes and live underground in the strange Victorian-era town called Cheesebridge. It’s based on a part of Alan Snow’s children’s book “Here Be Monsters!”

    At the beginning, we think the Boxtrolls are greedy thieves, with a bad reputation* for abducting* and eating babies. That lie, started by the tragic disappearance of “the Shropshire baby,” is spread by the Archibald Snatcher*, who wants to raise his social standing by killing all the Boxtrolls.

    But we soon discover that the Boxtrolls are harboring* a human child, who grows into the 11-year-old Eggs (named after the carton he wears), all the time believing he’s one of their tribe. Eggs’ life changes the night he meets Winnie, the 11-year-old neglected* daughter of noble Lord Portley-Rind. After a rocky beginning, the two youngsters become friends, as Eggs discovers that he’s a human being like her. Together, they decide to save the Boxtrolls Snatcher has snatched and tell people the truth about Boxtrolls. Along the way, we also discover the terrible and touching story behind Eggs’ “abduction*.”

    The story is not new, but directors Anthony Stacchi and Graham Annable create a detailed, funny world above and cleverly funky* subculture below.

    Critics, however, don’t like the film, perhaps because the images of green, toothy, pointy-eared Boxtrolls and human characters are not lovable. But a gifted voice cast brings lots of personality to the mix.

    Ben Kingsley acts as the cruel Snatcher, who wants the town’s prized cheese even though he’s allergic* to it. Isaac Hempstead Wright of “Game of Thrones” and Elle Fanning make a charming* pair of young heroes as Eggs and Winnie. Jared Harris is funnily pompous* as Winnie’s father, and Tracy Morgan, Richard Ayoade and Nick Frost make a diverting trio as Snatcher’s funny henchmen*. (SD-Agencies)