What’s it about?

After her baby brother is abducted by a murder of crows, headstrong teenager Prue McKeel launches a desperate rescue mission into an enchanted forest hidden just beyond Portland, Ore. Joined by a hapless but loyal classmate, Prue risks it all as she navigates a world of bandits, talking animals and powerful figures driven by grief and ambition.

What did we think?

Anthony Sherratt says: The new stop-motion film from Laika Studios is simply stunning. Aesthetically speaking, Wildwood is one of the most gorgeous films of the 21st century. The fact it backs it up with a good story only underscores the fact this will be a beloved classic.

It almost beggars belief that this movie is stop-motion. The incredible detail (and insanely manic 24 frames per second) make it so smooth you will swear it has to be CGI and you find yourself lost in the detail and beauty of it. The shadows, the breathing (they installed small pumps in the characters to expand chests), the panning camera during action sequences… it is truly breathtaking. The voice actors are incredibly invested, the direction speaks to the passion project it is for Travis Knight, and the set design is flawless.

It’s not all perfect – the story is better than average with its layering but it doesn’t reach truly great heights on its own. And while the designs are incredible, I’d argue some of the puppet detailing is a little too much (the bags under Prue’s eyes make her look more like a middle aged woman than a teenager). But these are minor quibbles in a movie that will stay with you long after you leave the cinema,

It needs to be said that Wildwood isn’t for young children. There are scenes of violence and death and even opens with a suicide of a construct but teens to the aged will undoubtedly be lost in th majesty of the vision.

Wildwood is a triumph of human artistry that should be seen and rejoiced in. I am already looking forward to a detailed behind-the-scenes documentary as well as rewatching the film.