Laika captures the significance of man-made art with their latest stop-motion film ‘Wildwood’
Laika emphasizes the art of stop-motion in their strongest work to date
By BELLA PETERSON — arts@theaggie.org
Stop-motion has had its place in animation for a long time: Whether it be “Wallace & Gromit” or “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” the art has proven to be a significant aspect of not only the world of animation but the whole of cinema.
Laika, a studio that prides itself on its handcrafted worlds that are nothing short of whimsical, is often recognized for its most popular work: “Coraline, which left its mark on many with its memorable imagery and extraordinary animation. Even with this lasting impact, the rest of Laika’s projects went under the radar despite possessing many of the same qualities as “Coraline.”
That is, until “Wildwood,” Laika’s latest work over 16 years in the making, had fans eagerly waiting for its arrival. The film opened on Oct. 23 to overwhelmingly positive reviews from both critics and the general audience.
“Wildwood” comprises the story of Prue and her friend Curtis as they journey into the mysterious wilderness to rescue her baby brother after he’s been stolen by a murder of crows. The crafting for each of the puppets in the film are brilliantly tailored. Every design for the different characters feels just as detailed as the last. Much like their other films, Laika incorporates a gorgeously distinctive art style to their puppets.
The animation moves with a shocking amount of natural fluidity for a stop-motion film, reaching formidable heights that are no small feat for the craft.
Laika effectively presents the unique talents of handmade work with the animation in “Wildwood,” breathing new life into the practice of stop-motion storytelling. “Wildwood” holds the longest length of any of Laika’s projects with a runtime of 132 minutes; the creatives go above and beyond with the production despite the longer duration. With every set being dressed in a substantial amount of features, missing any moment, even just by blinking, feels like a crime. The stunning visuals joined alongside the poignant soundtrack stirs an unparalleled feeling perfect for the big screen.
Despite the many strengths of Laika’s latest, the film struggles to depict character depth proportional to its attentive construction of the magical world. With so much focus wrapped up in the lore of “Wildwood,” many of the characters’ stories come across as rushed. The beginning of the film struggles to pick up despite its enchanting setting. However, when “Wildwood” finds its footing, it certainly goes the distance.
What is unique about Laika as a studio and what they have to offer with “Wildwood” is their dedication to presenting remarkable and unique stories, captured distinctly through the art of stop-motion.
Ultimately, Laika embodies the artistic integrity required for animation to survive. The film exhibits the beauty of storytelling through human hands and minds; the effort and time it took to create such a memorable work for child and adult audiences alike is truly outstanding.
Above all else, the film renews an excitement in the world of stop-motion animation. “Wildwood” offers something for everyone and promises to stand the test of time.
Written by: Bella Peterson — arts@theaggie.org