Movie Info
Movie Name: Missing Link
Studio: Laika Entertainment
Genre(s): Animated/Comedy/Family/Action/Adventure
Release Date(s): April 5, 2019 (UK)/April 12, 2019 (US)
MPAA Rating: PG
Find a Sasquatch, see the world!
Lionel Frost wants to be a great name in exploration. He dreams of being known far and wide as an explorer and discoverer of the unknown. Unfortunately, the other men in the “Society of Great Men” lead by Lord Piggot-Dunceby look down on Frost and his attempts to discover the mythological beasts and locations. When Lionel gets word on the location of Sasquatch, he finds himself travelling to America to prove his place in the Society of Great Men. What Lionel finds is “Mr. Link”…a Bigfoot who desires to find his place in the world. Setting off for the Himalayas with Mr. Link and his best friend’s widow (and his former lover) Adeline Fortnight, Lionel Frost might find the fame he’s always dreamed of.
Directed by Chris Butler, Missing Link is a stop-motion animation family comedy adventure. The film was released to critical praise and received the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
I love stop motion animation. “Claymation” represents some of my favorite times in childhood with shows like Rudolph and Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town. I always admire the patience and the skill needed to bring stop motion to life and Missing Link is a visual feast.
Don’t mention the chicken!
The story for the film is rather typical in the sense that it feels like a family movie with some twists. There is some wordplay within the film that pushes the limits of a children’s film (aka eating manure chips and lots of cut off references that a meant for adults). The story is a positive one in that the characters gain respect for each other and realize what they are seeking isn’t necessarily important. It is a classic story in that sense but it is told well.
The cast is good. Hugh Jackman brings the bravado as Sir Lionel Frost and his stage presence helps with the animated role. Zoe Saldana is charming as Adeline Fortnight who almost plays Lionel’s conscious. Stephen Fry and Timothy Olyphant are the heavies in the movie as those trying to both kill Mr. Link aka Susan and stop Frost in the process. Matt Lucas has a small rose as Lord Piggot-Dunceby’s chronicler and Emma Thompson voices the yeti queen. Much of the film’s success can be attributed to Zach Galifianakis whose neurotic (and literal thinking) Mr. Link reminds me a lot of Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy (who also brings the laughs in those films). He also breathes heart into the character by having his quest for belonging.
You think this hair just happens naturally?
Primarily for me however are the visuals. Not only does the film push the limits of stop-motion animation, it always amazes me when you can watch a movie and forget that you are watching animation. Missing Link succeeds in this vein which is an achievement.
Missing Link is a fun movie that will appeal to a wide audience. The kids will watch and enjoy it for a lot of the humor and adventure while adults can watch it for the concepts and ideas. I think it also does a good job of doing the story without talking down to kids or talking up to adults…it is just solid on all fronts. Find yourself with Missing Link!
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