“I’m the last of my kind but on the other side of the world they talk of this creature, the Yeti. I think these Yetis are my cousins. Can you take me there?” asks Sasquatch aka Mr. Link (voiced by Zach Galifianakis) to world adventurer Sir Lionel Frost (voiced by Hugh Jackman) in the animated comedy/adventure film Missing Link.
All Sir Frost wants to do is prove to the adventure society in Victorian London he’s worthy to be one of their members. Unfortunately, so far he’s failed to get proof of a historic discovery. But when he receives a letter suggesting he travel to the wilderness of the New World – America – to find Big Foot, Frost believes this time his quest will end with the proof he needs.
When Frost does find Sasquatch he’s shocked to learn that he’s an intelligent missing link who knows how to both speak and write. Frost is further surprised to discover the creature was the one who sent the letter in hopes that he’ll be Sasquatch’s guide on a journey to find his long-lost relatives: the Yetis who are rumored to be living in Shangri-La in the Himalayas.
The two strike a bargain and with Sasquatch traveling as Mr. Link, Frost will have the proof he needs to verify Big Foot exists to the adventure society. Frost becomes Link’s guide as they travel the world, facing more than their fair share of danger as Frost helps Link reunite with his family.
Charming, colorful, and funny, Missing Link is brought to life masterfully with wonderful Claymation animation and a first-rate voice cast. Hugh Jackman brings to life Sir Lionel Frost, an English gentleman and adventurer in the same fashion as Phileas Fogg in Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days. The dry one-liners Jackman delivers as Frost are witty and clever.
Zach Galifianakis lends his voice to Mr. Link, giving the friendly creature a childlike innocence and extremely likeable personality. The character’s a bit of a klutz, and Galifianakis leans into that with perfection.
The dazzling, stop-motion animation heightens the quality of the film, giving it a warm and entertaining look and feel.
The only drawback to Missing Link is the lengthy dialogue scenes and high-brow humor which is completely lost on the younger members of the audience. Children under the age of nine are likely to lose interest halfway through and become fussy…as they did at this critic’s screening.
Still, with stunning animation and a strong voice cast, Missing Link is an enjoyable, above average animated adventure for older kids and their parents.
GRADE: B
MPAA Rating: PG for action/peril and some mild rude humor
Running Time: 95 minutes
Release Date: April 12, 2019
Directed By: Chris Butler
