The Adventures of Tintin thrusts the viewer headlong into one of the most delightful action films of the year, as Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson have clearly found a new canvas on which to showcase their vast imagination and eye for the fantastic. Spielberg has created a stunning film, complete with some of the most extravagant and imaginative action set-pieces attempted, all with his signature traits that have made him such an icon of cinema.

This film is clearly a labor of love, as Spielberg and Jackson hired three equally talented Tintin fans to write the script, Steven Moffat (“Doctor Who” and “Sherlock”), Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), and Joe Cornish (Attack the Block) stuff this screenplay with enough action opportunities to satisfy even the biggest action-adventure fans, Spielberg included. Thankfully, there is just enough humanity placed in between the action — although being previously acclimated to the beloved characters and stories of Hergé will definitely help, after all, the filmmakers were.

Taking their stab at The Secret of the Unicorn, the film thrusts Tintin (Jamie Bell, Billy Elliot) and his trustful dog, Snowy, straight into action as they buy a miniature of the mysterious Unicorn, a ship full of treasure which long ago was sent to the bottom of the sea. Within this model miniature, a key to finding the Unicorn is hidden, and soon henchmen led by the evil Ivanovich Sakharine (Daniel Craig, James Bond) are after Tintin. As he begins to realize what’s at stake, Tintin begins to unravel the mystery surrounding the Unicorn, as well as the motives of Sakharine and his men. Soon Tintin enlists the help of his old friends, policemen Thompson and Thompson (Nick Frost and Simon Pegg, Shaun of the Dead), who are attempting to capture a pickpocket (Toby Jones, Harry Potter).

Eventually, Tintin unites with the comical drunk, Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis, The Lord of the Rings), who’s been kidnapped by Sakharine and his men. It soon becomes evident that Haddock and Sakharine are linked more closely than previously thought. Sakharine is the ancestor of the evil Red Rackham, a pirate who attacked the Unicorn, captained by Haddock’s ancestor Sir Francis Haddock. With this the stakes are set, as Spielberg and company create a story not overstuffed with plot and character development, but to the point where they serve the overarching story and action surrounding it.

Comparisons to Indiana Jones and other Spielberg adventure classics jump to mind, the difference here is Spielberg and Jackson utilize the latest technology available with performance capture to create an atmosphere rich with imagination and style. The breathtaking set pieces look magnificent on the big screen, as Spielberg stuffs the screen full of detail and inspired action.

The design of the film is impeccable, complete with John Williams’ lively score, The Adventures of Tintin has a very unique and welcome feel to it. Despite being largely light on specific plot or development, the film doesn’t suffer too much from this, and thanks to the imaginative nature of the film, Tintin walks the fine line between a masterful action adventure and that of a character and plot-thin, unimportant film. Thankfully, Tintin is largely the former and I can’t wait to see what Spielberg and Jackson have in store for us next from this young reporter and his faithful dog, Snowy.

Grade: A-

Rated: PG (for adventure action violence, some drunkenness and brief smoking.)

The Adventures of Tintin opens nationwide December 21.