Wildwood: Laika Unleashes a Dark Fairy Tale From The Decemberists

Fantasy and fairy tales often feel like two sides of the same enchanted coin, right? But for Colin Meloy, frontman of The Decemberists, and his wife, acclaimed artist Carson Ellis, the distinction is crucial. As the creative minds behind the new stop-motion animated film Wildwood from Laika Studios, they assert that while fantasy crafts entirely new worlds, fairy tales plant one foot firmly in the familiar—the shadowy woods, the strange creature at the road's edge, the unsettling crow. And honestly, bless these brilliant people for articulating it so perfectly.

Wildwood, which is currently out in theaters, isn't just another animated flick; it's a meticulously crafted adaptation of Meloy’s novel and Ellis’s stunning illustrations, bringing a fantastical adventure to life right in their own backyard: the Pacific Northwest. But don't let the familiar setting fool you. Just beyond a mundane bridge, an otherworldly wilderness beckons those brave enough to heed its call.

The Roots of Fantasy: A Grimm Inspiration

Meloy views fairy tales as the very bedrock from which modern fantasy sprang. Think about it: Tolkien and C.S. Lewis didn't invent magic out of thin air; they wove together ancient languages and imagery, building new mythologies on old foundations. But there’s a key difference between forging something entirely new and tapping into the collective unconscious for stories that already feel eons old. Ellis, whose intricate artwork truly defined Wildwood on the page, points to the canonized works of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen as prime examples. The real magic, she suggests, is making these time-honored narratives feel fresh and vibrant again.

For Wildwood, that revitalization begins with a chilling piece of folklore: the kidnapping of a baby by crows. Meloy traces this grim image directly to Irish myth, and if that sounds dark, well, it absolutely is. Director Travis Knight, according to Meloy, was keen to embrace the stranger, scarier aspects of children’s entertainment. This isn't your average fluffy cartoon; it’s a spiritual successor to films like Watership Down, The Dark Crystal, and The Secret of NIMH—movies Meloy himself deeply admires. These classics dared to trust young audiences to confront danger and grief head-on, refusing to sand down every sharp edge. Wildwood follows suit, a bold move that has earned the animated film a rare PG-13 rating.

Portland's Forest Park: Bigger on the Inside

Believe it or not, Wildwood's primary setting is inspired by a very real place: Portland's Forest Park. This vast expanse of temperate rainforest, a place Ellis found notoriously challenging to illustrate due to its sheer density and overwhelming natural abundance, becomes an integral character in the film. Meloy perfectly captures its essence, describing the park’s roughly 5,000 acres as a place that feels “bigger on the inside.” Witnessing this lush, intricate environment translated into stop-motion animation was nothing short of a revelation for both creators. The meticulous detail and rich textures explain precisely why it took director Travis Knight nearly 16 years to bring Wildwood to the silver screen.

This dance between the familiar and the utterly unknowable has always been a hallmark of Meloy and Ellis's work. Throughout their prolific careers, they've drawn from a rich tapestry of global folklore, from the intricate traditions of Japan to the arcane corners of Slavic paganism and even obscure American history. Their creative wellspring runs deep, informing every frame of Wildwood.

The Creative Canvas: A Unique Vision

What makes Wildwood truly stand out is its commitment to its chosen medium and message. Laika Studios, renowned for its masterful stop-motion artistry in films like Coraline and Kubo and the Two Strings, is the perfect partner to bring Meloy and Ellis's vision to life. The painstaking process of stop-motion animation lends itself beautifully to the slightly eerie, handcrafted feel of classic fairy tales. Every twig, every leaf, every feather in Wildwood feels tangible, imbued with a soul that CG animation often struggles to replicate. The decision to pursue a PG-13 rating is not a gimmick but a genuine commitment to storytelling that doesn't shy away from the complexities of life, death, and moral ambiguity—something that will resonate deeply with audiences craving more substance from their animated features.

What Lies Beyond the Wildwood: Future Tales?

Given that Wildwood was originally a trilogy of books in the 2010s, the obvious question is: will Meloy and Ellis ever return to this enchanting world? Meloy isn't entirely ruling out a return to Wildwood in literary form, but he’s clear that any sequel would need to spring from genuine passion, not obligation. “I would have to make sure that it’s something that my heart was in,” he explains. For now, both are chasing new ideas, with other book and film projects brewing. And for those of us who’ve long yearned for a stage adaptation of The Decemberists’ The Hazards of Love? Ellis admits it came close once but never fully materialized. Still, Meloy is happy to bless any intrepid high school theater groups brave enough to tackle it.

It feels fitting that Wildwood's future remains as open-ended as the tales that inspired it. Fairy tales endure precisely because they adapt, change hands, and are retold in new ways. Meloy and Ellis, with open arms and minds, continue their quest for the next great spark of inspiration. Sometimes they find it in ancient myths, sometimes in the dense forests of Oregon, and sometimes, perhaps, while chatting with a journalist pondering the nuanced difference between a fairy tale and a fantasy epic.

Our Verdict: A Necessary Dark Adventure

In a landscape often saturated with saccharine animated fare, Wildwood emerges as a refreshing, if chilling, breath of fresh air. It’s a testament to the power of traditional storytelling, meticulously brought to life by Laika’s unparalleled craftsmanship and guided by the profound creative vision of Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis. It’s a film that respects its audience, trusting them to confront discomfort alongside wonder, much like the classic fables of old. For fans of dark fantasy, rich folklore, and animation that dares to be different, Wildwood is an absolute must-see. Embrace the shadows; the journey is worth it.

FAQ

**Q: What kind of movie is Wildwood? **A: Wildwood is a stop-motion animated fantasy-adventure film from Laika Studios, adapted from the novel by Colin Meloy and illustrated by Carson Ellis.

**Q: Who are the main creative minds behind Wildwood? **A: The film is based on the work of Colin Meloy (frontman of The Decemberists) and his wife, artist Carson Ellis, with Travis Knight directing for Laika Studios.

**Q: What is Wildwood's rating, and why is it significant? **A: Wildwood is rated PG-13, which is notable for an animated film. This rating reflects the creators' desire to embrace the darker, scarier, and more emotionally complex elements found in traditional fairy tales, similar to classic films like Watership Down and The Dark Crystal.