Missing Link
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Zack Galifianakis, Zoe Saldana
Directed by: Chris Butler
Rated: PG
Fresh off the success of Kubo and the Two Strings, Laika animation has released their latest stop motion animated feature, Missing Link. It’s a tale about a Sasquatch trying to find his family and an explorer leading the journey. There’s no doubt the animation is stunning but is the story on the same level?
Missing Link is directed and written by Chris Butler. When I first saw the previews, the film looked quite funny, and the marketing worked well enough to get me to the theater. Unfortunately, the most entertaining moments are showcased in the trailers. You’d think a film with Zack Galifinakis playing Sasquatch would be hilarious, but it seems Chris Butler’s screenplay doesn’t allow for enough comedic moments. Several scenes rely on juvenile humor that may appeal to a younger audience but didn’t receive many laughs in the screening I attended. Films like The Lego Movie succeed in making audience of all ages laugh, but Missing Link is missing a lot of humor. The direction is also lacking good pacing. Some sequences are very entertaining and fun to watch, while others move at a very slow pace causing the audience to feel bored.
This is quite a talented voice cast with Hugh Jackman in the lead as Lionel Frost. He’s an egotistical explorer who feels he must find the greatest creatures on earth to be known. That’s where Zach Galifianakis comes in as the funny and lonely Sasquatch, Mr. Link, on the hunt for someone who can understand him.
The film falters with Steven Fry’s Lord Dunceby, a mustache-twirling villain who won’t allow anyone past him unless they agree with all of his opinions. His characterization is dull and one-dimensional. As if having one tedious villain wasn’t enough, Missing Link throws in another one named Willard Stenk (Timothy Olyphant) to throw the heroes off track. These villain storylines only take away from Link’s adventure and don’t add anything of value to the film.
The good news is the entire film is visually striking to watch. It’s shocking to know this is stop-motion animation because it looks so impressive. The characters travel in a beautiful animated landscape that spans around the world from London to California to Asia; each location is wonderfully detailed and full of eye-popping colors. If you are interested in animation, you’ll enjoy the scenery.
Missing Link is a visually impressive but narratively uneven film. Don’t go into the theater expecting a unique comedy as the previews suggest. Expect more of a slow-paced journey, with beautiful scenery.
My Rating: 6/10