Even in the trailer, the background details are so overwhelming, I feel it’s easy to lose track of and forget about the story. But since it’s based on Colin Meloy‘s novel of the same name, I can always pick up the book and see where the two diverge.
One difference jumped out right away: the opening sequence isn’t in the novel at all. Thankfully, there are guides to consult, and after another viewing, the surreal nod to Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart clicked. That’s about all the steampunk we get, and the rest plays like a fairy-tale adventure set in the hidden Impassable Wilderness. The city scenes made me grin too, mainly because I still remember my first visit to Powell’s Books in Portland. I could happily lose myself in those aisles again; and once you get out of town, there’s a whole stretch of Oregon wilderness worth exploring.
When the mountain ranges hold secrets, I can get excited. I’ve even explored a lava tube during one road trip, and yes, Crater Lake is amazing. And as for Bigfoot territory, I remember spotting a statue of Paul Bunyan on the way. None of those sights turns up in the movie, but director Travis Knight may have tucked in a nod to the Lemurians said to live inside Mount Shasta (technically in California). My guess puts Wildwood somewhere near the Enchanted Forest in the Cascades; those deep, hidden canyons and the strange beauty of the foothills feel right, even if the film leaves the connection open. One minute we’re in the city, the next we’re in the woods, which left me wondering just where this story takes place on the map.
As I recall, Prue McKeel (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) discovers this wonderland not too far from her rural home. While she has the best of both worlds, the city life and outback, it’s the latter that’s the most beautiful. When a flock of crows snatches her baby brother, Mac, the young girl knows where they’re taking him. Nobody believes her, so it’s up to her to bring him home. Thankfully, one person Prue can count on is Curtis (Jacob Tremblay), and their friendship develops in fits and starts. I wouldn’t quite put their adventure on the level of The Goonies, but I’m sure someone will want to make comparisons! As events unfold, the pair never run into the same nasty threats that gang did. These two have to face armies! I reckon those scenes alone took weeks to animate and to build a forest from scratch must’ve taken a lot of studio space.
Even the screenplay must’ve taken time to flesh out, and when I did pay attention to the dialogue, I got a kick at the mention of Robin Hood. But I suspect the story is more Alice in Wonderland when considering the circumstances. Here, talking bears, coyotes and rats get in on the action, and in place of the usual rulers, we meet Alexandra (Carey Mulligan), a former governess of the South Wood. Grief consumes her, and it’s during the course of the film that we learn her son died a long time back, and she consorted with wicked forces to keep his soul around. What makes this film resonate is in how Mulligan lets us feel the weight of that loss even when Alexandra’s nastier side shows through, and it is that anguish which drives her to kidnap wayward babies like Mac.
At its heart, Wildwood asks how far we’ll go to protect the people we love. It takes courage for a girl to dive deeper into the realm of Faerie in order to locate her brother. Some may say once you venture too far, you can never leave. It’s classic!
Although the long runtime might put some folks off, I believe Knight wanted things to unfold and be revealed naturally. As a storyteller, once that narrative is rushed, that Brothers Grimm edge can get lost. Although he’s only directed a handful of films, from Kubo and the Two Strings to Masters of the Universe, what he’s crafted is important to note:he cares about making each world come alive and giving us characters to love.
Now I have to ask: will there be a SteelBook release? I’ve upgraded my collection to these keepsakes, and I’m hoping Wildwood gets the same treatment when it comes to home video!
4 Stars out of 5
Wildwood Final Trailer
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