After so many internet reviews were praising this “masterpiece” (heard this word several times; one person even called the Laika studio “America’s Miyazaki”), I decided to go watch Wildwood at the theater.
Technically, it is indeed excellent. It almost doesn’t look like stop-motion, it’s so buttery smooth. This format brings such a depth and dimensionality that computer-generated graphics will never quite reach. The variety of environments, from indoors to urban downtown to idyllic forest to medieval village, showcase a range of mastery of the craft.
Story-wise though, the story is kind of a mess. The motivations of some key characters are either absent or hard to believe. Some scenes and characters should have been cut out to keep the narrative tight. Several characters end up extremely flat and lifeless.
I’m not from Portland, Oregon so maybe it’s just novel and shocking for me personally, but there is an overt wanderlust-whimsical aroma to the entire movie that to me is just annoying. I can’t quite place my issue with it, or at least not in a small number of words. Maybe those who watch it, or those who know Portland, will know what that is?
I’ll add spoiler-y thoughts as comments.
