Wendell & Wild Review

Having Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key reunite in an animated feature is not as rare a moment as it may be seen. They did so in Toy Story 4 and were the brief highlights of an otherwise wasteful nostalgia grab. Their work within Wendell & Wild as the eponymous duo of demonic brothers hiring an unknowing teen in the hopes of getting them back to the land of the living. It is much more than a light-hearted ghoul fest that inspires elements of nostalgia in its own way, with Monster House and ParaNorman feelings throughout this well-rendered Henry Selick aesthetic. That is a cavalcade of seemingly different features, all of which relied on an articulate style found here in Wendell & Wild, which takes a bit of time to dive into.

But once deep in the heart of this animated Netflix feature, it is hard to get out of it. Immediate tragedy sets up a film that will soon boom with optimism and hope for those that need it. There is a touching horror to Wendell & Wild that explores its supernatural elements with a real, human core to it. Losing parents and the articulation of horror that comes from it provides a unique animation style and a lovely supporting role from Ving Rhames. The Specials’ Ghost Town, naturally, appears. It fits nicely with the sickly, luminous greens and rollercoaster rides of horror that feel both unique in their presentation but vaguely reminiscent of everything from Grim Fandango to Beetlejuice. Not everything needs a comparison though, there are unique terrors found in the overwhelming fun Rhames has as Buffalo Belzer.

Unique designs and deceased creatures provide a strange and mysterious world to lose an hour and a half with. There are lucid, colourful designs that will bring about childish glee and articulate, sensitive themes that will latch onto the older audience. It is the perfect blend, and while Wendell & Wild presents its animated quality in style, it is the directive flair and consistency from director Selick that swings through so well. It has all the etchings of his style but depends on them in a justified way that has core talent at the heart of it and unique worldbuilding around it. Good memories hurt the most, Wendell & Wild has that right at the core of its narrative and never relents, even if its narration is simplistic and its dedication to the weird and wonderful wanes occasionally.

Still, Netflix provides another example of a surreal, strong animation department that is consistently knocking out great art and bringing an audience along for the ride. There is relative trust found within for Selick, whose veteran time behind the camera has surely forged some trust in his work, as seen here. Over a decade since his last feature and it would appear Selick hasn’t lost his consistent touch. Perhaps that nostalgia is an overload of remembering Coraline and James and the Giant Peach, features that had strong messages at their heart, adaptive, unique or otherwise. There is something to be said for the theme of returning home after time apart from the birthplace, with Rust Bank in a state of disarray that can be seen through the eyes of those that live there longest. Moving on is the best decision, whether that is a choice or not is by the by.