Mister Link

Tonight, I finally watched "Missing Link". Part of it is because it just won the Golden Globe award--winning against a bunch of animated sequels. Most of it, however, is that Studio Laika changed distributors and "Missing Link" was difficult to find. For example, my daughter lives in Philly....and no nearby theaters were showing it! This is so bizarre, as the Laika films are works or art...and a lot of fun. And, "Missing Link" is no exception.

The story is a humorous tale about an adventurer who wants to be accepted by the more famous 19th century adventurers (though they were generally jerks). So, he goes off in search of various cryptozoological creatures to impress them. But, after meeting Bigfoot, he learns that one of these jerks just wants to shoot the poor thing...and Bigfoot is really nice! So, the pair run away...searching for Shangri La and the so-called Abominable Snowmen. After all, this discovery will REALLY bring Sir Lionel fame...and Bigfoot really wants some friends...and he assumes these distant cousins will embrace him as one of their own.

I can clearly see why "Missing Link" won this prestigious award. First, and I mention it above, it's wholly original...not some remake or sequel. Second, and more importantly, it's simply gorgeous...and artistic triumph. It also didn't hurt that the film has a lovely sense of humor...and it's a film that will appeal at least as much to adults as kids. Well worth seeing....but so sad that its distribution was so incredibly limited.