![]() ![]() The studio’s previous films were wondrous. ![]() The film also cements Cartoon Saloon’s place among the great contemporary animation studios. It’s one of the most impressive films of the year, and the best animated film of 2020 so far. But the lines between good and bad aren’t drawn by nationality or religious belief - Robyn and her father are English, too.Įvery aspect of Wolfwalkers is thoughtfully, beautifully rendered, and the story is full of twists that keep things unpredictable until the finale. It’s clear from the jump that his title is ironic he punishes the citizens of the town at the slightest provocation, and refers to anyone who doesn’t adhere to Catholicism as a heathen. The script, written by Will Collins, is also a bit of a history lesson, as the Lord Protector is none other than Oliver Cromwell. McBurney’s impassive performance is even clearer evidence that the Lord Protector doesn’t have his subjects’ best interests in mind. Bean, best known at this point for playing stoic, tragic heroes, is a perfect match for Bill. Kneafsey and Whittaker breathe life into the flowing lines of their characters, capturing both the effusive joy and the pettiness that are part of being so young. There’s always something to look at on the screen - and always a compelling vocal performance to listen to, too. The Lord Protector, by contrast, is all squares and sharp angles. Her wolfish senses, meanwhile, manifest in whorls and streaks of moving color. ![]() Her huge shock of red hair moves around it like the white around an egg yolk. The character designs are also remarkable, focusing on basic shapes and flow of movement above all else. Parts of the sketches that form the characters’ bodies are almost always visible - the circle forming the base of a character’s head, for instance - and Moore and Stewart often break up the screen the way a comic book might, capturing the unfolding action from different vantage points. Unlike many of its contemporaries, which have focused on polishing and smoothing out their CGI visuals, Cartoon Saloon is exploring other options. The story, given the emphasis on preserving nature, may feel Ghibli-esque, but Cartoon Saloon bucks any other point of comparison with its gorgeous, unique art style. Could the town’s oily Lord Protector (Simon McBurney), who seeks to completely destroy the forest, have anything to do with it? Mebh, meanwhile, is growing worried for her mother, whose wolf form has gone missing, leaving her human body trapped in sleep. Robyn feels stifled by her father, who has become overprotective in the wake of her mother’s death. They’re both fiercely independent, and their mutual relish for life means they’re soon bounding through the leaves together and sharing the frustrations they are otherwise forced to keep pent up. When Robyn and Mebh first cross paths in the forest, they instantly connect. They live in the forest and possess magical abilities that let them transform into wolves when they sleep, as well as heal most wounds and call upon the wolves of the forest to obey their commands. Mebh and her mother Moll (Maria Doyle Kennedy), on the other hand, are Wolfwalkers. Robyn, who lives in the town, aspires to become a great hunter like her father Bill (Sean Bean), and spends her days practicing her crossbow skills, accompanied by her falcon Merlin. ![]() The new feature combines the distinctive, kinetic visual style of the studio’s previous films, The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea, with a thrilling story about two young girls becoming friends and learning how to coexist.ĭirected by Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart and set during the 17th century in Kilkenny, Ireland (where Cartoon Saloon is headquartered), the film focuses on Robyn (Honor Kneafsey) and Mebh (Eva Whittaker), who hail from seemingly irreconcilable cultures. With Wolfwalkers, the Irish studio Cartoon Saloon solidifies its place among those studios’ ranks. It has been updated to reflect Wolfwalkers’ premiere on Apple TV Plus.įor animation fans, the works of studios like Aardman, Studio Ghibli, and Laika are instantly recognizable. This review was previously published in conjunction with the movie’s premiere at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival. ![]()
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