This is a musical in the truest sense of the word It has been 14 years since the last Hollywood adaptations of this, undoubtedly, significant literary work. That is enough time to forget how motives and the most of the secondary characters were created. If you also read this Hugo's novel a time before adaptation since 1998, this two and a half hour movie will not seem too long and you will find it entertaining because that is the reason that all movies was made.
This is a musical in the truest sense of the word. All through this movie they all were singing. Even when you think that it would be much better to become silent and listen the music which very effectively describes their characters and the building of mutual relationships. It doesn't matter who sings better, although it is difficult resisting the need to form your own, often laic, judgment of their vocal qualities, even for those actors who that have not previously worked in musicals (Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman or Russell Crowe). It seems that all of five chapters have a same continuance. That's enough time for meeting with each of characters and for finding that in the most of them Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen add a little bit of humor to this not-so-happy atmosphere.
Whoever you talk about this movie in terms of adaptation, or the division of roles, previously denied them an experience of enjoying in the film with exciting music, epic scenography and memorable costumes, made to make you see this movie once again, so you will be note all this details yourself