“Wildwood,” a stop-motion animated film directed by Travis Knight and based on Colin Meloy’s 2011 middle-grade fantasy novel, showcases ambitious craftsmanship but delivers a story that some may find conventional. The film, which runs just over 90 minutes, features 230 hand-operated puppets across 132 intricately designed sets, reflecting a painstaking creative process.
Set in Portland, Oregon, the story follows Prue McKeel, a skeptical teenager voiced by Peyton Elizabeth Lee. Prue’s quiet life with her overprotective parents and baby brother Mac is disrupted when crows abduct Mac, carrying him off into a magical forest known as the Impassable Wilderness. Determined to rescue her brother, Prue is joined by Curtis, an awkward gamer with a crush, voiced by Jacob Tremblay, as they navigate a richly imagined world filled with talking animals, bandits, and a mysterious Dowager Governess, portrayed by Carey Mulligan.
The film embraces a distinctly Portland vibe, including visual nods to local landmarks such as Powell’s City of Books and Voodoo Doughnut. Its fantastical setting juxtaposes whimsy with darker themes, as the narrative includes scenes of violence such as beheadings and hand-to-hand combat. This intensity contributes to a PG-13 rating and introduces a tonal complexity that some viewers may find jarring within an otherwise fairy tale-inspired narrative.
Technically, “Wildwood” is notable for its detailed artistry. The production incorporated advanced techniques such as 3D printing to create over 142,000 puppet faces and crafted thousands of feathers for a giant eagle character. Some puppets feature embedded devices to simulate breathing. The production took several years to complete, during which 85 babies were reportedly born among the crew.
The voice cast includes several well-known performers, with Awkwafina voicing a rat and Richard E. Grant lending his voice to an owl. Tom Waits provides the voice of a coyote, though this is revealed only in the credits. The presence of anthropomorphic animals wearing anachronistic 18th-century military attire adds a quirky yet incongruous element to the forest setting, which also features muskets and rusty trucks, creating a mixture of styles that some viewers may find uneven.
The film attempts to address themes such as grief, environmental concerns, coming of age, and resistance against authoritarian forces. However, critics note these messages are only superficially developed, with Prue’s journey ending on an ambiguous note and Curtis’s heroism marked predominantly by violence. The film also includes an unusual environmental critique targeting invasive English ivy, a subplot that is easily overshadowed.
While the narrative may not break new ground, “Wildwood” stands out for its meticulous craftsmanship and the sheer scope of its production. The film’s closing note emphasizes that this elaborate labor was “handmade in Oregon,” underscoring its local roots and artisanal approach. The film is currently playing in theaters.