I’ve been a fan of Laika Studios’ stop-motion animated films since I saw Kubo and the Two Strings ten years ago. Travis Knight, the lead animator and CEO of Laika, has really pushed the envelope of what is possible in animation. My husband and I actually rewatched it within a week after watching it on a press screener. The visuals are so spectacular we wanted to experience it on the big screen with Dolby Atmos. I’m glad we did! My jaw was on the floor the entire time, and I constantly went, ‘How did they do THAT?!’

The story is based on the 2011 middle-grade fantasy book by Colin Meloy, with illustrations by his wife, Carson Ellis. Knight, who hails from the Portland area, creates a film that acts as a tribute to the Pacific Northwest city. The plot follows a strong-willed teenager named Prue McKeel (voiced by Peyton Elizabeth Lee). She ventures into a forest just outside Portland to track down her kidnapped brother, navigating through a realm of talking animals, bandits, and strong personalities driven by grief and ambition.

The movie expertly fuses the fantasy landscape with a modern-day backdrop, boldly adopting a darker, more mature tone. It sets this tone immediately in the opening scene, showing a shocking moment when a child-like character falls from atop a Victorian castle, creating a powerful emotional beat that lays the groundwork for the story’s heavier themes.

Next, we meet Prue and her family. She’s your classic snarky teen with a rebellious streak. Ignoring her parents’ strict rule against taking Mac outside, she goes on an epic bike ride around Portland that’s a joy to see. Most of the film takes place in a magical forest where Prue and her classmate Curtis Mehlberg (Jacob Tremblay) run into talking animals and dive into an amazing adventure. They get separated while being pursued by a Coyote Army, and Prue stumbles into different kingdoms in the forest, including the Avian Principality ruled by Owl Rex, voiced by Richard E. Grant. The general, a stunning golden eagle voiced by Angela Bassett, looks even more glorious during the flying scenes with Prue.

The animation flows so seamlessly that it feels like I’m watching an epic live-action film. The team used almost a hundred custom motion-control camera rigs to keep the miniature setup stable between shots. Six-time Oscar nominee Caleb Deschanel (known for The Patriot and The Passion of the Christ) shot these tiny worlds just like he would with full-sized movie sets, and he reportedly juggled over a hundred mini sets at once.

The voice cast is fantastic; Elizabeth Lee shines as Prue, and Tremblay is just adorable as the altruistic Curtis, who becomes an unlikely hero in the story. It’s wild that this movie comes out in the same year as Unabomber, where Tremblay portrays Ted Kaczynski—talk about versatility! The supporting voice cast is packed with top-notch actors who bring their characters to life beautifully.

For 2 hours and 10 minutes, the plot thickens as Prue finds herself in the middle of a bureaucratic civil war that leads to a gripping battle scene. Her main goal is to rescue her brother, but she has to team up with various groups, including the South Wood bandits, led by the Bandit King (Mahershala Ali). Together, they must confront a shared adversary, Alexandra, the Dowager Governess. Carey Mulligan shines as the main antagonist, portraying a deeply complex and emotionally rich character. Alexandra is a mother pushed to her limits by grief, unable to move on from her deceased son. I really enjoy her lovely voice, and she even gets to showcase her singing talent.

The melodic instrumental score by Dario Marianelli complements the beautiful visuals perfectly. There are notable needle drops and original tracks from Portland’s indie rock band. The Decemberists, which makes sense since Colin Meloy is the band’s lead singer. Meloy also penned the hauntingly beautiful song Alexandra’s Lullaby (Down In The Valley), performed by Mulligan.

This fantastical tale gives off serious Lord of the Rings vibes, packed with intense moments that definitely justify its PG-13 rating. The battle between the bandits and Alexandra’s Coyote Army is brutal and quite bloody, which might be too intense for younger kids. I particularly enjoyed the thrilling action at the Ancient’s Grove with those huge ivy branches; it’s both spectacular and emotionally charged.

Laika has been pouring their heart into this passion project for over 16 years, ever since they got the rights to Meloy’s book back in 2011. The active production phase lasted 7 years, with the stop-motion animation process taking an astonishing 231 weeks on the studio floor. Interestingly, Knight was also working on Masters of the Universe at the same time and teamed up with some of the same creatives for both films, including screenwriter Chris Butler. I do have a small quibble; I’d say the third act feels a bit rushed leading up to the epic battle scene, and some characters, like the Bandit King, could use more depth. I also think that Prue’s eye bags make her look older than a teen, but really that’s getting nitpicky.

While there are some amazing stop-motion films in the past decade, like Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021) and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022), Wildwood really raises the bar with its unmatched physical scale, record-setting narrative length, and a unique cinematography style that draws from live-action filmmaking.

The level of detail and passion that went into creating the intricate set pieces and each puppet with its own unique wardrobe is absolutely mind-blowing. I’m particularly fond of Alexandra’s Gothic-Victorian lair and her stunning red, fur-trimmed dress, along with the Portland vibe reflected in Prue’s outfits.

Calling Wildwood ambitious is an understatement, and it wouldn’t be hyperbolic to call it a masterpiece. It’s a massive filmmaking project that truly deserves a big-screen experience. I really admire how Laika Studio takes on AI by having thousands of artists craft its characters and sets by hand. I’ll definitely be cheering for Wildwood to snag the Best Animated Feature Oscar next year!