Missing Link

Missing Link – Searching for fame and fortune by discovering and providing proof of any mythical creature imaginable, Sir Lionel Frost follows up a lead for the sasquatch and when he finds out that not only is it real but is civilised, his dreams are at his fingertips. However, when the creature, dubbed ‘Mr Link’, reveals that he is the last of his kind, Lionel promises to take him to the Himalayas in hopes of also discovering yetis, Link’s potential cousins. Lionel may have good intentions but will his desire for recognition trump what’s best for his new friend?

Missing Link (2019) – Director: Chris Butler

By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=59005580

Rating: PG

Running Length: 94 mins

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Zach Galifianakis, Zoe Saldana

Genre: Adventure, Animated, Comedy

REVIEW: MISSING LINK

Stop-motion powerhouse Laika has gifted the world with some wonderfully unique animations that have sparked the imaginations of adults and children alike. Be it their adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s delightfully creepy ‘Coraline’, the thought-provoking ‘Boxtrolls’, spooky ‘ParaNorman’ or the beautifully poignant ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’, Laika has never been one to follow the usual tropes and messages of a typical ‘kids” movie. That is, sadly, until ‘Missing Link’; a tale of finding a widely believed mythical creature and taking it to where it belongs. The movie follows Sir Leonard Frost an adventurous man who is desperate for recognition and acceptance into a highly elite society. His best hope is to find a Sasquatch and, with some sketchy evidence of its existence, he sets off on his search.

After a painfully slow start, the actual discovery of the creature is extremely quick and they bond immediately, meaning that there is no time for the audience to feel it. Mr Link is so civilised that it doesn’t make sense for him to have never ventured out of the woods especially when his one wish is to do this in search of other, similar creatures to himself. This superficial level of drama continues throughout so that relating to any of the characters is a struggle. With the exception of an edge-of-your-seat exciting and brilliantly shot chase scene on a boat, ‘Missing Link’ doesn’t stand out at all. There are plenty of laughs to be had and the animation is great but ultimately, skimming over the more interesting parts and having too many scenes that drag or fall into cliché territory stops it being the fantastic film it should be.

‘Missing Link’ isn’t exactly bad but when the story of belonging has been told many times before and in better ways, it is a real disappointment that Laika seems to have churned out such an unoriginal movie.

CONTENT: IS ‘MISSING LINK’ SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

Two characters sit in the middle of a large lake alone at night in a rowing boat. A huge creature appears and after a brief pause, suddenly roars loudly at them. One of the characters is scared but the other takes it in his stride. The creature snaps its jaws on one of the men and disappears underwater. Again, the other character is completely unfazed by this and jumps in the water to help his cohort. An exciting rescue ensues and both characters escape unharmed.

When trying to prove a point, a character swings his metal-tipped cane backwards against a map. Unfortunately the map is being held by a butler and the cane hits him hard in the crotch. His knees buckle and he groans in pain, however no other suffering is shown.

Lionel begins taking measurements after discovering Mr Link and ducks down below the camera a few times, after one of these times, Link gasps in shock and says ‘Wow, your hands!’

No nudity is shown with regards to Link but there are various mentions about his need to be clothed in public. One time he says ‘We need to cover your, ahem, modesty’ while looking down towards Link’s crotch.

During a bar fight, lots of punches are thrown and one character smashes a bottle over the head of his adversary.

In order to start their journey to Shangri-La, Lionel does some questionable things; for example, he tries to con a woman out of one of her possessions and, when this doesn’t work, he sneaks into her home at night to steal it. Later, Link tells her that they ‘mugged a nun’.

Characters who are trying to hunt down Link, Lionel and Adelina threaten to kill an old woman. When she isn’t concerned by this they threaten her baby grandson, lifting him up by his leg. She is shocked and clearly believes that they could harm him.

CAN I SEE A CLIP?

VERDICT: IS ‘MISSING LINK’ FOR KIDS?

It may be a bit disappointing but there is fun to be had with ‘Missing Link’, just not as much as you might hope for. We recommend this movie for kids aged 5 and over.

• Violence: 1/5 (the group are followed constantly by a hunter who has orders to kill them, he often attacks with weapons)
• Emotional Distress: 1/5 (a character becomes deeply depressed for a short period of time but is soon brought around by friends)
• Fear Factor: 1/5 (the hunter character and his relentless desire to kill the protagonists could be a little scary)
• Sexual Content: 1/5 (mild innuendo relating to Link’s nudity)
• Bad Language: 1/5 (Link tells another character that ‘my cave smells like sh-‘ before his dialogue is talked over and character says ‘oh bugger’ clearly before something dramatic happens.
• Dialogue: 1/5 (several mentions of people’s desire to kill others such as: ‘If he catches you he’ll shoot you dead, skin you and use your pelt for a hearth rug’)
• Other Notes: Deals with themes of the desire to belong, the progression of society, believing in yourself, striving to be a better person, friendship and ambition.

Words by Laura Record