"The Boxtrolls" is a film more to be admired than loved.

The film utilizes stop-motion animation, whereby each, or several frames, of film are shot with minor adjustments to the figurines before the next shot.As if to emphasize the exactitude of this process and how painstaking it is, during "The Boxtrolls" end credits, the filmmakers pull back from the set to reveal in fast-motion, and in shadow, a puppet animator guiding each move of one of the film's main characters.It's as if the filmmakers are saying: "See how much work it was to make this film. How can you not love it?"I was prepared to love "The Boxtrolls" because animation, and especially stop-motion animation, is one of my favorite filmmaking genres. Alas, I did not love "The Boxtrolls.""The Boxtrolls" movie has a great steampunk look. "The Boxtrolls" characters sure are ugly-cute, They live in cardboard boxes and only emerge at night to become dumpster divers, making off with valuables like brass house address numbers.Near the start of the film, Archibald Snatcher (voiced by Ben Kingsley) vows, "I will destroy every last Boxtroll."That's pretty much the plot.There's a boy named Eggs (Isaac Hempstead Wright), who was raised by Boxtrolls and who rallies them to fend for themselves. He teams up with Winnie (Elle Fanning).The screenplay has a distinct lack of feature animation film zingers, quips and puns. That's refreshing. However, the filmmakers haven't found a way to hold the interest of grown-up moviegoers, although young moviegoers should be fascinated with the characters and the world of "The Boxtrolls," which is very detailed and presented from an off-kilter perspective.The voice casting is impressive, although, from the moviegoers' standpoint, not particularly memorable: Jared Harris (Lord Portly-Rind), Toni Collette (Lady Portly-Rind), Nick Frost (Mr. Trout), Tracy Morgan (Mr. Gristle) and Simon Pegg (Herbert Trubshaw).The film is based on Alan Snow's 2005 British-published children's novel, "Here Be Monsters," subtitled "An adventure involving magic, trolls, and other creatures," and billed as Volume I of "The Ratbridge Chronicles."Graham Annable (who worked on the feature films, "ParaNorman," 2012; "Coraline," 2009) and Anthony Stacchi (who worked on the feature films, "Open Season," 2006; "Hook," 1991) make their feature directorial debut with "The Boxtrolls."Irena Brignull and Adam Pava (TV's "Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends") make their feature screenwriting debut with "The Boxtrolls."Laika, the Portland, Oregon, animation studio that produced "The Boxtrolls" and previously produced the Oscar-nominated stop-motion animation feature films "ParaNorman" and "Coraline" is owned by Nike co-founder and chairman Phil Knight, whose son, Travis Knight, is the studio's president and CEO."The Boxtrolls" was seen in the 3-D animation format, which I was also looking forward to, but I found unnecessary for viewing the film."The Boxtrolls" is not a bad film. It is an admirable film. It's just not a very lovable film."The Boxtrolls," MPAA rated PG (Parental Guidance Suggested. Some Material May Not Be Suitable For Children.) for action, some peril and mild rude humor; Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy; Run time: 1 hr., 36 min.; Distributed by Focus Features.Credit Readers Anonymous: "The Boxtrolls" soundtrack includes the new song, "The Boxtrolls Song," with words and music by Eric Idle (Monty Python), and the traditional folk song, "Little Boxes" by Malvina Reynolds.Box Office, Oct. 3: Ben Affleck took "Gone Girl" to No. 1, opening with $38 million, slightly ahead of that other girl, "Annabelle," opening at No. 2, with $37.2 million, and neutralizing "The Equalizer," dropping from No. 1 to No. 3, with $19 million, $64.5 million, two weeks;4. "The Boxtrolls," $12.4 million, $32.5 million, two weeks; 5. "The Maze Runner," $12 million, $73.9 million, three weeks, 6. "Left Behind," $6.8 million, opening; 7. "This Is Where I Leave You," $4 million, $29 million, three weeks; 8. "Dolphin Tale 2," $3.5 million, $37.9 million, four weeks; 9. "Guardians Of The Galaxy," $3 million, $323.3 million, 10 weeks; 10. "No Good Deed," $2.5 million, $50.1 million, four weeksUnreel, Oct. 10:"The Judge," R: A lawyer, played by Robert Downey Jr., returns to his hometown to defend his father, a judge (Robert Duvall), who is accused of murder. Vera Farmiga and Billy Bob Thornton co-star in the drama."Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day," PG: The title says it all. Well, not quite: Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner star in the family comedy."Dracula Untold," PG-13: We're not sure how much more can be told that has been untold before. Guess we'll just have to see the fantasy horror film that stars Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper and Samantha Barks.Read Paul Willistein's movie reviews at the Lehigh Valley Press web site, thelehighvalley-press.com; the Times-News website, tnonline.com; and hear them on "Lehigh Valley Art Salon," 6 - 6:30 p.m. Mondays, WDIY 88.1 FM, and wdiy.org, where they're archived. Email Paul Willistein:

pwillistein@tnonline.com. You can follow Paul Willistein on Twitter and friend Paul Willistein on Facebook.Two Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes