Random Movie Review - Wolfwalkers

Time to take another dive into Apple TV+ and look at a hand drawn animated film. Now, many of us know that a trilogy of films can most of the time feature the same characters and settings with a continuing story. But then you have a trilogy such as the Three Flavour Cornetto Trilogy (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World's End) which makes the point that you don't need to use the same characters, settings and so forth to make a good trilogy of films. As long as they are connected in some way, it's all good. Wolfwalkers belongs in a trilogy of films known as the Irish Folklore Trilogy which was created by Tomm Moore of Cartoon Saloon. All the films are hand drawn animated films based on various Irish folklore as the name implies. Many major studios often think that fully CGI animated films are the way to go as a more efficient, easier and sometimes cheaper way to make films. But then you get films like these which take a bit longer to make, but it's all worth it as many of these films are often nominated and win many awards. They are really good and often overlooked which is a shame, but let's not forget that many streaming services are often a good place to release these films if people won't see them in the cinema. So let's take a look:

Its 1650 in Ireland and a small town settlement led by a fictional version of Oliver Cromwell (voiced by Simon McBurney) is at odds with a wolf pack when he orders the woods to be cleared. In an attempt to exterminate the wolves, English hunter Bill Goodfellowe (voiced by that actor who dies a lot, Sean Bean) is summoned to clear them out. But when his daughter Robyn (voiced by Honor Kneafsey) ventures out to help him only to learn that this wolf pack is unlike any other and uncovers a conspiracy that may go against everything that her father wants to destroy, but at the same time to do so to protect her.

Epic, mesmerizing, well animated and full of sense and wonder, this is a fantastic film. It shows once again that hand drawn animation isn't dead yet and that it can look quite beautiful and artistic. The voice acting is pretty good too as is the themes and philosophies that the film carries throughout. Though I question the film's certificate rating as PG given that this is quite a dark film, especially for the target audience its trying to tailor to. Other than that, no other faults. Its a great film worth watching if you just so happen to have Apple TV+. Might check out the other films in the Irish Folklore Trilogy at some point if they are as good as this. 10/10