By Jack Grimme, Contributing Writer
Wendell and Wild has been on my radar for a long time now. The film garnered tremendous attention for being Henry Selick’s first feature film since 2009’s beloved Coraline. News that Jordan Peele would lend his hand to the script and co-star in the film, along with his partner in crime Keegan-Michael Key, continued to attract attention. Several anticipated release dates passed, and the film continued to evade the audience’s grasp. Aside from the obvious COVID-19 restrictions, I am not sure why the film was benched for so long. I do know that the delays, paired with a surprising lack of advertising, significantly impacted the hype for the inevitable release. Fortunately, it released just in time for a Halloween movie night.
Aside from Key and Peele as the titular demons, the film stars Lyric Ross as Kat. After the tragic car accident that took the lives of her parents, Kat finds herself on hard times. Her rebellious behavior has her at odds with the law, and her trauma has led to a distinct fear of close relationships. When she learns that she has a bond with two equally rebellious demons, she decides to try and face her past head-on. Fans of Selick’s previous works may recognize a familiar grim tone based on that description. I have seen several of his films and was still shocked by the mature themes and imagery. Wendell and Wild definitely earns its PG-13 rating and may not be appropriate for all ages. There is nothing too graphic, but there is certainly some spooky imagery that befits the holiday season. Consider this your warning if you have a fear of bugs or other creepy crawly critters.
I would like to start by getting the obvious strength of this film out of the way. The animation is absolutely masterful. The film is dark yet colorful. The character designs are unique and often haunting. There are sequences in the film that are truly breathtaking. Selick and his team of animators are legendary. They know how to make the most out of the medium and use it to perfectly enhance the ambiance and story. Even if you aren’t buying into the plot, I am sure you would be thoroughly entertained by the animation from beginning to end. Fortunately, the story is also able to hold up its end of the bargain. Every character has distinct motivations and an important role in the overarching story. The heroes are likable, the villains are deplorable, and growth is well-earned. Admittedly, the movie is pretty quick. So, there are a handful of characters that could use a bit more attention. But that is largely forgivable because the film is relatively short.
For me, there are two primary flaws that hold this film back from achieving the same level as Coraline and The Nightmare Before Christmas.Both of these have to do with the dialogue and delivery. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there is something off about a lot of the vocal work in the film. Don’t get me wrong, I have a lot of love for the cast — Key and Peele are an outstanding comedic duo. Angela Bassett is an absolute treasure. And I am excited to see Lyric Ross in future projects. However, a lot of the line deliveries lack emotion, and it kept me from connecting with the characters. Some reactions are too quiet or understated for the circumstances. Many of the words don’t fit the tone of the scene. There are some exceptions here. Ving Rhames brings an impressive level of gravitas to the patriarchal demon, Buffalo Belzer. And Key and Peele have a few readings that had me laughing out loud. Unfortunately, there is a consistent disconnect between the voices and the animation, which lessens the weight of emotional moments.
The second negative is a lot more subjective. A lot of the humor in this film just fell flat for me. Like I said, there are some genuine laugh-out-loud moments. But for the most part, the jokes didn’t land for me. I may have been in the wrong mood, or this may be a result of the previous issue I mentioned. I’d like to give the film another chance to see if I am wrong, but this is where I stand at the moment. And it does cause me pain to say that a Key and Peele project wasn’t funny enough for me.
I still had a really good time with this film. The theming and character work is outstanding. The message about dealing with trauma head-on is important and confidently delivered. And the visual spectacle alone justifies the amount of time put into production. Selick is a name that will always have my attention when a new project comes around. I feel his ability to implement horror and thriller elements into his works make them stand out in the world of animation. And while this doesn’t hit the same highs as some of his previous films, it is certainly worth a watch. Hopefully we won’t have to wait another decade for his next release!
Score: 7/10
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