Wildwood – Movie Reviews by Ry!

Wildwood – Magic, Family & Tragedy: Folklore of Portland

The power of storytelling is defined by the experience.  As we walk through those doors, we head off into worlds where the unknown becomes a thread into an inevitable escape.  From action to romance, there is an earnest thought of wanting to feel the moment.  When it happens … the magic of the story can become unforgettable.  In this review, I look at the latest animated film to hit the big screen.  From the foundation of a simple fantasy tale … we embark on a journey that becomes much more than visual splendor.  Simply put it, Wildwood is a creative dive into what it means to truly … tell a story.

When a normal day turns dire, one girl will find out that family bonds run deeper in a world beyond the woods.  Film is a place where the delight of the unexpected can become everlasting.  The visual prowess of what can be brought to life is a tantalizing thing, especially by animation.  With this latest entry from Laika Studios, they continue to raise the bar in this medium … pushing what it means to tell a story.  We come into this world through a tragic prologue before meeting our main character, Prue (Voiced: Peyton Elizabeth Lee).  She is a young teenager who lives with her family in Portland.  After a few expositional scenes, Prue witnesses a dire situation which leads to her risking everything, traveling into the woods outside Portland to find her brother (plot point).  From here, the film shifts from a familial foundation into a fantasy/adventure tale.  After another series of dire moments, Prue discovers that the kidnapping set off a chain reaction, building to bigger consequences for the residents of this world.  The filmmakers quickly dive into the adventure, as the story evolves beyond typical archetypes (especially for our main character).  Through the tagline of being the outsider, Prue confronts everything through an aspect of disbelief, acting as the ‘audience avatar’ where she is trying to understand the intricate details of the different factions of the wildwood.  From the colorful layers of each societal element brought to life (through animation) to the unique take on the ‘fish out of water’ motif, it creates a dynamic where the journey is subtle in its engagement.  This is purported by the methodical direction that develops a realistic grip of characterization and immersive world building.  Through each character Prue meets (you can view the voice cast at the film’s IMDb page – link), you witness the uncertain struggles that parallel any realistic traits of pain, love and despair.  From the political strife between certain factions to the hazy truth of the witch’s ‘villainy’, the leveling of storytelling raises the bar of what it means to be a fantastical adventure film.

Prue’s uncovering of the truth slowly builds upon that initial chain reaction, leading to a bigger threat to the wood’s survival.  As these pieces fall into place, the consequences of choices (past and present) lead to sequences that become a mix bag of heightened dramatic events to heavy reliance on conversations driven by convenient exposition.  Despite these conventional directives, the experience is still vibrant because of the zeal of our main character, Prue.  As things come to a final confrontation in the third act, we head down a path of epic battles, familial wranglings, and a riveting climax that brings everything full circle into a satisfying epilogue.  Wildwood is simply an amazing experience.  If you’re a fan of animation or great storytelling, this is one for you.  I believe this is a film worth seeing at the theaters, a true work of art.   

Full Score – 4.5 out of 5 (Award Worthy)