Wildwood Review

Wildwood, a stop-motion animated film, is set to hit theaters on October 23. The movie, adapted from the first novel in Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis' Wildwood Chronicles, stars Peyton Elizabeth Lee as 13-year-old Prue McKeel, who embarks on a journey with her classmate Curtis (Jacob Tremblay) into the magical forest realm of Wildwood to save Prue's kidnapped baby brother, Mac.

Directed by Travis Knight and produced by the renowned animation studio Laika, Wildwood boasts a staggering visual spectacle and a surprisingly dark fantasy adventure.

The film's world-building is impressively detailed and expansive, with Knight luxuriating in creating a rich mythology to accompany the novels by Meloy and Ellis. From the intricately authentic rendering of Portland to the various domains of the mystical forest, Wildwood is an immersive experience that so effectively creates a sense of immersion that it can sometimes be hard to remember it's a stop-motion film.

The anthropomorphic characters and nature-centric magic, reminiscent of classics like Spirited Away, Labyrinth, and The Chronicles of Narnia, are handled with confidence and care, providing a familiar yet refreshing experience for audiences.

While the movie leans into the "just go with it" approach, it still manages to maintain a high-stakes narrative filled with real losses, consequences, and frequent deaths. Despite this, Wildwood more than earns its PG-13 rating, striking a balance between fantastical elements and realistic stakes. However, some character motivations, particularly Prue's, may feel a bit unfocused due to the script not providing much room for her to be specifically defined beyond her quest for justice.

Curtis' "zero to hero" arc, played by Jacob Tremblay, is handled well, but the pacing tends to drag when he's separated from Prue and his heroic bandit companions. Despite this, the record-breaking 131-minute runtime remains justified, especially from a purely visual standpoint. Alexandra, played by Carey Mulligan, serves as an interesting and believable antagonist whose grief and dark choices drive the story. Mulligan's quavering, edgy performance is consistently impressive, adding depth to the character.

Ultimately, Wildwood's supporting cast of magical creatures and heroes more than make up for any shortcomings in the main characters. Mahershala Ali and Amandla Stenberg lead a cast of memorable and engaging supporting players, including Richard E. Grant as the owl king Owl Rex, Tom Waits as a rage-filled coyote soldier, and Charlie Day as a cowardly tur. The film's stunning visuals and captivating world-building make it a must-see for fans of stop-motion animation and fantasy adventures alike.