Leader of the pack
WOLFWALKERS Cert PG ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Cinemas Monday
Be enchanted by this fabulous family fable, a joyously magical affair that’s rich in character, vividly beautiful, imaginative, funny, exciting, and easily the best animated movie I’ve seen this year.
Set in Kilkenny in 1650, Robyn is a young girl newly arrived from England with her father, and her pet owl called Merlin.
While secretly exploring the nearby forest, Robyn f i nd s anoth e r motherl e ss and mischievous girl called Mebh, who i s a Wolfwalker, someone who can change between human and wolf form.
Giving voice to the pair, Honor Kneafsey and Eva Whittaker have a wonderful rapport f ul l of t easing humour and excitabl e, conspiratorial exchanges, while Sean Bean brings a weary, sad nobility with his part as Robyn’s father.
But the girls’ blossoming friendship puts Robyn at odds with her dad who’s a wolf hunter by trade, and brings them a l l i n t o c o n f l i c t w i t h t h e puritanical and tyrannical Lord Protector, an Englishman intent on ‘ taming’ Ireland by force.
It’s produced by the Irish studio, Cartoon Saloon, which is justly famous for its uniquely luscious illustrative style rooted in traditional Irish art.
Previous features The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, and The Breadwinner were all Oscar- nominated for best animated film, and they are on a par with the best of Disney or Pixar. And this is no exception.
Although first and foremost a wonderful c hi l dre n’s a c t i on a dv e nture , i t ’s a l s o undeniably political and ripe with history, but always framed in such a way your kids will understand what’s going on.
It is most damning of the rulers and politicians who invoke god to supp or t t h e i r wars a nd us e fear- mongering rhetoric to justify their persecution of those who are different.
And t h e r e’s a l s o a t i mely environmental message about how forests are destroyed in the pursuit of profit.
As t he heartbreaking stor y unfolded, I cried, howled with laughter and nearly cheered at one crossbow- wielding moment. Wolfwalkers is Watership Down for a new generation – but with more bite.
Terrifically exciting and easily the best animated movie I’ve seen this year