WOLFWALKERS – Review

The big upcoming holiday is often referred as “the most magical time” of the year. Well, then it would be a perfect time for a family-oriented film centering on magic. No, we’re not talking about flying reindeer or that “jolly old elf” from the north. Why not explore more ancient mythology full of shapeshifters, mystical spell casters, and animal familiars. Oh, and this tale is animated, also. So, we’ve been on a trip OVER THE MOON and it’s a couple of weeks before our exploration of “the Great Beyond” in Pixar’s SOUL. What better excuse to take a journey back into a past full of myths, legends, and enchanters. Keep your sword and bow at the ready, because this is the era of the WOLFWALKERS.

And the era is in the latter part of the 17^th century, in the dark forests of Ireland. We encounter a trio of workers who are felling some thick trees. They suddenly hear a low guttural growl and spot several pairs of glowing red eyes in the dark shrubbery. Wolves! The men scatter, save for one left behind. He’s quickly surrounded by the pack. As he gives up hope a pair of bright yellow eyes shine out from the dark. It’s a young feral human girl of 8 or 9 years who somehow commands the pack to let the man pass. In the nearby village, he tells of his encounter with a real “wolfwalker”. Meanwhile, a girl around the same age, Robin (voice of Honor Kneafsey), engages in pretend battle with her pet bird Merlin, as she waits for her father to return to the cottage they share. And soon he does walk through the door. Bill (Sean Bean) has been brought over from Britain to rid the area of the fearsome wolves. When the woodsman’s tale reaches him, he’s called to duty. Unknown to him, Robin grabs her crossbow and follows from a brief distance. In the forest, Bill spots her and orders her home. But soon she has her own encounter with the same wolfwalker and her pack. After a brief “dust-up” (lots of tumbling, scratches, and bites), Robin learns that the girl is named Mebh (Eva Whittaker), and is told of her unique abilities. She has a mental link with the pack and when she sleeps a wolf spirit exits her body and solidifies with her mind. At dawn that wolf must reunite with her sleeping body. That’s what has happened with Mebh’s mother Moll who remains in a deep sleep waiting for her wolf form to return. Later Robin is shocked to find that she now has that gift due to a bite from Mebh. Can she evade her father, who may be executed by the town’s Lord Protector (Simon McBurney) unless he sees results? Could there be a way for the villagers to live in harmony with the pack and the pair of wolfwalkers?

Where to start in praising the formidable talents that came together on this stunning achievement? Though I’m not familiar with most of the cast, they aided greatly in bringing the principals to life. Bean may be the most recognizable name, and as papa Bill, he brings gravitas and warmth in equal parts. The two young actresses, Kneafsey as Robin and Whittaker as Mebh, are outstanding scene partners, each conveying the spunk and smarts of this terrific team. They say an adventure tale’s strength rests in its villain, which is proven here by McBurney’s menacing, sneering snarl as the viscous LP. Yes, the audio talents are first-rate, but oh these visuals! The directing duo of Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart has brought together an army of artisans that gives the story a look unlike anything we’ve seen in a great while. At least since 2014’s SONG OF THE SEA and 1009’s THE SECRET OF THE KELLS, which shares much of the style and craftspeople. While most recent features use the “top end” computer tech and software, this work harkens back to the days of 2-D or hand-drawn (on paper and clear “cells”) animation, much like the iconic fairy tale features from Disney. But the design is also inspired by the radical (for the early 50s) simplified designs of the UPA studio and the limited animation used in early TV (thinking of the Jay Ward works like Bullwinkle), along with the experimental shorts of the Canadian Film Board. Many of the characters are defined by thick straight lines, using ovals and triangles, particularly with the townsfolk. While Mebh, Moll, and their pack alternate between softer shapes (human hair) and jagged lines (the rigged look of their fur and fangs). The story’s mood is set by the creative color and textures of the backdrops and sky. The village is comprised of muddy earth tones against a gloomy gray. But the forest is a bright explosion of greens and blues. I would wager that they were aided by new tech to achieve the effect of the shadows of the tree’s leaves on the main figures in the woods. A variation may have been used to convey the enhanced sense of smell when Robin is in her “wolf state”. She can see a glowing, streaming trail made by an individual’s smell. Yes, the CGI feature films are stunning (SOUL is just days away), but a variety of styles raises the level of all animated efforts. These arresting visuals are complemented by the lyrical score by Bruno Coulais). WOLFWALKERS is a dazzling combination of a compelling story matched by art that smoothly blends the best current techniques while recalling classic works that helped shape our childhood.

3.5 Out of 4

WOLFWALKERS streams exclusively on AppleTV+