It's not often two of my favourite film makers team up and a film like Wendell & Wild doesn't come along very often either. So this has been a rather special treat to see director Selick craft another of his gorgeous and slightly disturbing stop motion epics with the work of comedy and horror master Peele thrown in for good measure. Together they make a pretty great film that I know I'm going to come back to each Halloween.
This tale of a girl suffering terrible loss and struggling to find her way through her pain and grief is insightful as well as being a damn entertaining story. Kat's journey to finding herself is a magical, spooky, and funny adventure into the subconscious and supernatural. Like Selick's previous film Coraline, this is appropriate for younger eyes but not too much younger as some of the themes get into some emotional places and some of the images are downright creepy. It is also the sort of film that will appeal to adults of all ages for its smart script, enjoyable story, and the way it touches on meaningful themes. It all comes together in an empowering story of survival and healing.
And Selick brings his beautiful aesthetic to this work creating another film that is just so beautiful to watch. Stop motion is fairly niche (likely due to how labour intensive it is) and there are a few who truly excel at it. Selick shows us he remains the current master of the art form.
Wendell & Wild is a delicious Halloween treat... but honestly it could be enjoyed anytime of year.
Wendell & Wild
Starring: Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Lyris Ross, Angela Bassett, James Hong, Wing Rhames, Tantoo Cardinal
Director: Henry Selick
Writer: Jordan Peele, Henry Selick
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