With all the great animation studios around, there is only one that when a new project is announced, it is an event. LAIKA is the one of the only studios that creates wholly original, soulful and unforgettable stories that stay with you forever. The art of stop motion lives on in the many hands of the artisans that reside in their studio and it is truly a gift to cinema that they present to us the audience. I went in blind to this film and I was truly blown away by not only the scale of the world, but its rich lore and heartfelt story. This is the first time the studio has done a story that is more grown up as it has darker themes of witchcraft and the pitfalls of a grieving parent. Some might find the violence more shocking than the story itself, but I was happy to see LAIKA tackle a more grown up story. Character development is always at the heart of their films and with this book adaptation, that same care is taken even if it does fill like a lot of lore is shoved into the 2 hour time frame.
Peyton Elizabeth Lee was fantastic as the oldest teen daughter, Prue McKeel. Her rebellious nature and taste for adventure fuels the story as she goes on a rollercoaster of emotions. Once her brother is taken and she discovers the world beyond the outskirts of her town, she becomes the most creative and fearless version of herself. I truly empathized with her as she navigates the Impassable Wilderness. Jacob Tremblay was great as her pretty dorky yet good hearted companion, Curtis Mehlberg. He was that nerdy kid that hasn't come out of his awkward shell yet and I liked him alot. He may be annoying at times, but like Prue, he has a personal journey of discovery that is equally fun and hilarious at times. Jake Johnson and Maya Erskine as Prue's parents, Mr. and Mrs. McKeel. They were very warm and loving, but the secret they carried was a heavy one that magnifies the theme of desperation and temptation. The subject matter they cover and how Prue reacts was another layer of adult themes that I was surprised they explored. Awkwafina was a surprise as the caring and scene stealing rat, Septima. Her performance really brings out the heart of the otherwise looked down upon creature as she quickly builds the best chemistry with Curtis. Angela Bassett was cool as the giant golden eagle, The General. Even in her vocal performance, she carries such gravitas and really commanded her moments. Carey Mulligan was outstanding as the dowager governess, Alexandria. The amount of grief that is surging though her was the sad catalyst of the film and I enjoyed the balancing act of sorrow, warmth and darkness that she expertly navigates. She was a villain of her own making and truly one that you understood. Mahershala Ali was fantastic as her rival, Brendan. As the King of the Bandits, you see through him the real battle happening within the Wilderness and how brutal it becomes. I loved his unparalleled strength and fearlessness.
The score by composer Dario Marianelli was truly fun, funky and magical. He captures the spirit of fun and freedom of the youth in the first half and delivers the sweeping epic, dark and wondrous feeling of the world beyond the wilderness. During the last half of the film, I felt like I was watching something almost on the scale of Lord of the Rings, but with the heart of FernGully. The technical achievement of LAIKA cannot be denied as each film they've done has pushed the boundaries of stop motion animation to new heights. This film is by far the most advanced and stunning piece of art I've ever seen. From the opening moments to the vastness of the wilderness and to the insanely detailed action packed finale, I was stunned to witness such talent and craftsmanship on display. My favorite scene in the film was the mansion escape because of its smaller scale, but intricate design and choreography. I can go on and on about the immense detail of each character expression and cinematography, but I will leave it for you to witness. This was a true masterpiece and perhaps one of the most important films of the year and to ever hit the big screen. I implore you to see this magnificent piece of art in motion ASAP! Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
