Film Review: ‘Missing Link’

Quaint never looked so cute.

Missing Link, the latest stop-motion film from writer-director Chris Butler, is a charming tale of eccentricity and acceptance.

The animated story is centered on adventurer Sir Lionel Frost (Hugh Jackman) as he strives to prove himself to a Victorian-era gentleman’s club of skeptical elite older explorers. After a failed attempt at photographing the Loch Ness monster, Sir Frost seeks out to find proof of the Sasquatch–believed to the be the missing evolutionary link from ape to man–in the Pacific Northwest. Much to his surprise, the Sasquatch is none other than a eight feet tall, fur-ridden, lovably gullible literate creature whom Sir Frost dubs “Mr. Link” (Zach Galifianakis). The duo embark on a journey to the Himalayas in search for the fabled Shangri-La to reunite Mr. Link with his ‘cousin’, the yeti, along with the help of Sir Frost’s former love and fellow explorer Adelina Fortnight (Zoe Saldana).

While the political metaphors may seem obvious to adults– breaking out of the hypocritical old guard white men’s club and the Victorian setting no doubt signifying the antiquated systems of today–the film’s messages of nonconformity, acceptance, and staying true to oneself are subtly ingrained into the narrative for its target child audience to appreciate and learn from.

Portland-based stop-motion animation company LAIKA created the stunning visuals for the film, and Missing Link marks the company’s fourth collaboration with writer-director Butler behind ParaNorman, Coraline, and Kubo and the Two Strings. Butler publicly credits films like Sherlock Holmes and Raiders of the Lost Ark as inspiration for the bond between Mr. Link and Sir Frost.

The charm of Missing Link is due in large part to the charismatic voice work of Jackman, Saldana, and the scene-stealing Galifianakis. It’s a film about friendship, one clearly made out of love. Although a quiet movie, it’s no doubt one to see.

The film hits theaters this Friday!