Starring (voices of): Hugh Jackman, Zoe Saldana, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Thompson, Stephen Fry
Genres: Animation, Comedy
MPAA Rating: Rated PG for action/peril and some mild humor
Release Dates: 4/12/19 (Wide Theatrical); 7/9/19 (Disc/Streaming)
Where to Watch: Hulu
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
Animation studio Laika has produced fairly solid, albeit at times middling, films as of late, including the Boxtrolls. Like The Boxtrolls and other Laika stop motion animated films, Missing Link has a lot of heart, plenty of humor, and enough originality to be interesting and entertaining. While its Big Foot-based story may not seem all that original, its unique take on the Sasquatch narrative is admirable.
Zach Galifianakis is terrifically hysterical as the fish-out-of-water, awkward, yet well-intentioned Mr. Link (later named Susan), the Big Foot in question. And then there’s Hugh Jackman voicing conceited explorer Lionel Frost, who undergoes an extremely cliched yet still welcome transformation in the film. The Zoe Saldana-voiced character is mostly there to fulfill the female requirement, although she has substantial spunk for a minor female character.
The film is also rampant with hackneyed and often-time boring characters (the villains, in particular, are one-note) and the film is at its best when sticking to the more humorous aspects — the more dramatic elements falter a bit, but not too much to make it unbearable. Overall, a film that should appeal to both children and adults.
B+