An overlong Laika misfire

Review of Wildwood (2026) by pstergos: 👎 5.0/10

As much as I try not to, I do allow myself to get swept up in the hype of something. The hype of a new thing from a well-respected studio is almost impossible to resist. And so it was when Laika announced their new movie Wildwood. A huge epicy-epic of epic proportions, especially in the world of stop-motion animation. It promised to be filled with monsters and action and the story of sibling love. And then I watched it and what unfolded was exactly that but in a way I just don't like.

I mean, I do understand why this has become as beloved as it is. It is a technical marvel in the world of stop-motion where everything is so smooth that at times I forgot I was watching puppets. Or at times forgot I was watching actual animation of any kind. It really is a treasure trove of technical wizardry that does need to be seen on the big screen for that reason alone. It's a world filled with such wonders like giant birds and magical ivy and a coyote army.

This is stuff that I should enjoy but there is a big BUUUTTT to this. It is way too long and it is way too indulgent for it's own good. What should be a very fun and tight 100 minute movie that got expanded to an ungodly 130 minute monstrosity that just sucks up all the urgency and whatever strengths Wildwood does have down the toliet. In its wake, it becomes a horrible slog and I just wanted it to all be over as it tries to overly-explain itself in a tedious way.

It's so frustrating to see this. You know you want to like this and you know there actually is a good movie buried underneath the final product but it almost seemed like all this indulgence was by design. Well, let me take that back, all movies are indulgent by the design of creative brains behind it. I think the word I'm looking for instead of indulgent is...lazy? No, that's not it. Uhhh, Laika willingly coasting off its reputation because the fans will love what's in front of them without any regard if it's good! That's what I want to say. There's many parts of this movie that don't fit together except for Laika to just jerk off on a screen.

There really is something to Wildwood, I wanted to like it but I just can't. I can't take overlong fluff. I can't take a movie that has open contempt for the audience's time. As pretty as it is and as much of a marvel it is, technically speaking, this is something I can't and won't recommend people to see. I wonder if I'm out of touch...but no, everyone else is wrong with this.