LFF 2020: Wolfwalkers
lffCartoon Saloon, who are behind the critical hits Song of the Sea and The Breadwinner, once again deliver on a stunning 2D animated film that is filled to the brim with a creative visual-style and an entertaining story to match.
Set in 17th century Ireland, Wolfwalkers follows Robyn Goodfellow (Honor Kneafsey), as she aspires to be like her father Bill (Sean Bean), a respected hunter who spends each day searching down the group of wolfs who reside just outside the enclosed city, being ruled by the Lord Protector (Simon McBurney). Upon following her father out of the city and encountering a pack of the seemingly dangerous creatures, Robyn encounters Mebh (Eva Whittaker), a magical being who upon sleeping turns into a wolf. As they become closer friends and Robyn discovers the peaceful life of the Wolfwalkers, Robyn and Mebh must find a way to stop the Lord Protector and her own father from hunting down Mebh and her mother.
The story by Jerrica Cleland and screenplay by Will Collins makes for a classic fairy-tale, matching the Medieval setting with the magical surroundings of the wolf infested forest makes for a wonderful narrative world for the story to take place in. Directors Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart — also credited toward the story — take time to relish in the setting, allowing for a world that feels incredibly well realised and lived in, which in turn works brilliantly with the somewhat historical setting of the narrative. It is a film that has no qualms with the direction the narrative needs to take at times, often ranging from heart-warming to frightening and intense, which as a result makes the whole narrative arch that much more successful.
Yet what is the real eye catcher is of course the stunning animation on display in Wolfwalkers. That previously mentioned storybook feel is enhanced even more so through this style, with various moments being breath-taking in their beauty, feeling wholly new in a style of animation that has been sadly abandoned by many of the major players. The style is consistent throughout, but the film is not afraid to be playful in the way it looks either, as new areas and characters are introduced, so too are new and exciting visual elements that keep the run-time from ever feeling noticed, with everything moving it a gracefully swift pace.
Through its whimsical yet mature story, Wolfwalkers is a stunning piece of animation from Cartoon Saloon, beautifully crafting a story that will enchant most who watch.
