Laika's stop-motion epic Wildwood has been hailed as a likely Oscar winner for best animated film, and it largely lives up to the hype with its stunning visuals and unusually dark, complex story.
Produced by the studio behind Coraline and Missing Link, Wildwood is written by Chris Butler, directed by Travis Knight, and based on the 2011 book by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis. Since its premiere at the London Film Festival, it has earned a perfect 100% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with many using words like 'masterpiece' and 'extraordinary'.
The film follows teenager Prue (voiced by Peyton Elizabeth Lee) into an enchanted forest on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon, after her infant brother Mac is kidnapped by a flock of crows. She is accompanied by her nerdy classmate Curtis (Jacob Tremblay), who is more concerned with pointing out that it's a 'murder' of crows than with the danger at hand.
A Dark and Spiky Script
Wildwood is not a typical kids' film. With a 12A rating, it includes swearing and stabbing, setting it apart from other animated movies that aim for simple, safe family appeal. The script is refreshingly spiky, and the film's handmade costumes and technical skill, particularly in how characters cry, add to its charm.
The voice cast is impressively starry, including Carey Mulligan as the Dowager Governess, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Jake Johnson, Richard E. Grant, Tom Waits, Jermaine Clement, and Awkwafina, who stands out as an adorably mangy rat.
A Story That Could Have Been Live-Action
At its heart, Wildwood has a complex, emotional story that could easily have been a live-action fantasy. The film does sag a little in its third act, with back-and-forth between the 'real' and enchanted worlds and a drawn-out battle sequence. However, it offers reassurance that human-made dedication is still evident on screen, along with that hard-to-define magic.
Wildwood is in cinemas now.
