The upcoming Focus Features film "Box Trolls" was given a ceremonious unveiling at Comic-Con this past weekend. The animated film marks the latest effort by Laika, the company behind such critical hits as "Coraline" and "ParaNorman."

Like the previous films, "Box Trolls" is a 3D stop-motion film that tells the story of a young boy who grows up with a group of underground trash collectors known as Box Trolls. A few weeks ago, Laika invited press to preview a few clips from the upcoming film. Latin Post was in attendance.

The preview lasted for approximately 30 minutes and featured a few scenes from the film. Among them was the opening in which Archibald Snatcher (Ben Kingsley), the main antagonist of the picture, convinced Lord Portley Rind (Jared Harris) to allow him to exterminate the box trolls before they destroyed a "cheese bridge." The sequence then showcased the box trolls escaping from their attackers.

The introduction of the creatures is marked by tremendous mystery as their actions are initially showcased by shadows on walls. This sequence builds to a suspenseful escape for a pair of box trolls who eventually return to the colony. In a fine montage, directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi showcase the growth of Eggs, the orphaned boy played by Isaac Hempstead-Wright.

Another clip showcases the meeting between Eggs and Winnie Portley Rind (Elle Fanning), while the final clip on display portrayed Eggs' introduction into high society despite being far from prepared for the encounter.

Every sequence was punctuated by tremendous comedy and fantastic suspense. Take the sequence in which Eggs is brought to a ball at the Portley Rind home. All of high society is in attendance, and Winnie is adamant in teaching Eggs how to treat people. He is told to shake hands with men and kiss the hands of the women, but the boy cannot seem to get either right.

At the climax of the sequence, he witnesses a fly eating some of the banquet. The boy, who has grown up feasting on insects, not only imitates the guests by serving food on his dish, but he also eats the bug to the dismay of everyone who bears witness to the event.

Another striking feature of the sequences was the Dickensian quality throughout. The film is set in a Victorian society of sorts and features an extravagant cast of characters. Aside from Eggs, his box troll community, and Archibald and Winnie, viewers are introduced to the Portley Rind family, Archibald's team of exterminators and even Lord Porley Rind's friends.

There is a caricaturesque quality in many of these characters, most notably the other exterminators and Portley Rind's friends. In the case of the former, each Exterminator seems to have his own eccentric personality while the depiction of Portley Rind's friends and their obsession with cheese is a comment on the vapid quality of upper society--a theme that runs throughout Dickens' literature, especially his later works. Archibald himself seems to be a version of Dickens' Uriah Heep; like the "David Copperfield" villain, Archibald is an outsider looking to find his place among the elite.

The preview hinted at the overall trajectory of the plot, but its numerous plot twists generated tremendous buzz and anticipation for the completed project. Laika's previous efforts have been met with critical praise, and this film seems like it could receive similar or even more prestigious treatment.