Missing Link

Name: Missing Link
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Animation, Family
Released: April 12, 2019
Duration: 94 min
Rating: 68
Cast: Amrita Acharia, Ching Valdes-Aran, David Walliams, Emma Thompson, Hugh Jackman

2019

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 30 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 91 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 91 Ratings

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Missing Link (Trailer 2)

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Movie Details & Credits

Annapurna Pictures | Release Date: April 12, 2019 | PG

Starring: Amrita Acharia, Ching Valdes-Aran, David Walliams, Emma Thompson, Hugh Jackman, Matt Lucas, Stephen Fry, Timothy Olyphant, Zach Galifianakis, Zoe Saldana

Summary: This April, meet Mr. Link: 8 feet tall, 630 lbs, and covered in fur, but don't let his appearance fool you... he is funny, sweet, and adorably literal, making him the world's most lovable legend. Tired of living a solitary life in the Pacific Northwest, Mr. Link recruits fearless explorer Sir Lionel Frost to guide him on a journey to findThis April, meet Mr. Link: 8 feet tall, 630 lbs, and covered in fur, but don't let his appearance fool you... he is funny, sweet, and adorably literal, making him the world's most lovable legend. Tired of living a solitary life in the Pacific Northwest, Mr. Link recruits fearless explorer Sir Lionel Frost to guide him on a journey to find his long-lost relatives in the fabled valley of Shangri-La. Along with adventurer Adelina Fortnight, our fearless trio of explorers encounter more than their fair share of peril as they travel to the far reaches of the world to help their new friend. Through it all, the three learn that sometimes you can find a family in the places you least expect.… Expand

Director: Chris Butler

Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Animation, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 94 min

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Critic Reviews

Brad Wheeler

Apr 12, 2019

A delightful and polished stop-motion adventure-comedy and droll comment on colonialism. Read full review

IndieWire David Ehrlich

Apr 3, 2019

Missing Link is a sweet, touching, and seriously fun adventure comedy about two lost souls who are struggling to reconcile yesterday with tomorrow in their bid to belong in a world that refuses to make room for them. Read full review

Peter Debruge

Apr 3, 2019

Sooner or later, Laika was bound to branch out, which makes this funnier, more colorful film the link previously missing between the company’s Goth-styled past and whatever comes next. Read full review

The Playlist Kimber Myers

Apr 3, 2019

Missing Link is a fun, if uneventful and uninspired, trip, but at least it won’t annoy the parents who are along for its fast-paced ride. Read full review

Tom Russo

Apr 10, 2019

One quibble: For such a legendarily elusive spot, the snowmen’s Himalayan hideaway seems awfully well trodden these days. If you thought the similarity between, say, “Coco” and “The Book of Life” was a case of animators not looking resourcefully enough for inspiration, how about the trifecta of “Smallfoot,” “Missing Link,” and DreamWorks’s upcoming “Abominable”? Read full review

Keith Watson

Apr 8, 2019

As in Laika’s other efforts, the humor in the film is more wry than gut-busting, but Chris Butler has developed some truly inventive comic characters. Read full review

Michael Rechtshaffen

Apr 3, 2019

One wishes the script might have shared the degree of precision that has obviously been applied to the technical side of the production, which is resplendent in visual dazzle from the smallest beads of sweat on a character’s forehead to the vintage knit fabrics to those sprawling exotic vistas. Read full review

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User Reviews

joelboy

Apr 29, 2019

Fantastic, funny, giant adventure movie with a trip around the world. I would recommend it to any family looking for some quality fun at the theatre.

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

alejandro970

Nov 14, 2019

A meet and greet with one of the most fantastic legendary beings of the world, and the stop-motion genre. One of the plot's strengths are the characters with own soul and charming, and the fresh, natural humor. Just stay in your seat for enjoy and watch the surprises that come with the exit credits.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

ThisIsActing100

Apr 15, 2019

All Laika films are a pleasant reminder of the value and beauty of hand-made art. Stop motion is an endangered kind of animation, and the fact that there is a studio that continues to work in this style and devotes so much attention to every detail in the frame is stunning. The visualAll Laika films are a pleasant reminder of the value and beauty of hand-made art. Stop motion is an endangered kind of animation, and the fact that there is a studio that continues to work in this style and devotes so much attention to every detail in the frame is stunning. The visual component of "Missing Link" is the brightest and most ambitious film of the studio today. Although his story is not as emotionally complex and deep as the story of “Kubo and two strings ” is a charming, kind, fast-paced adventure, where Laika demonstrates both farce and witty dialogues along with beautiful animation. Starting with impeccable decorations and ending with visually breathtaking scenes with elaborate details, the Lost Link looks incredible. In this story, there is even a place for some actual topics about how a person endangers and destroys everything that he discovers and exposes the true nature of a “civilized society”. Sometimes the most important adventure you can take is finding someone who joins you in your future adventures. Find someone and see the next animation victory Laika studio… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

haylin

Jan 11, 2020

It's not my favorite Laika movie, but it was entertaining, I loved the designs and the scenery.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

amheretojudge

Apr 21, 2019

Butler has made a longer than twenty minutes of a sitcom episode, it is light and public opinionated, it is going to get the attention, it is made to.

Missing Link Butler's love story is not of the epic scale its theme suggests, it is more rich and high in its poem than it is or shouldButler has made a longer than twenty minutes of a sitcom episode, it is light and public opinionated, it is going to get the attention, it is made to.

Missing Link

Butler's love story is not of the epic scale its theme suggests, it is more rich and high in its poem than it is or should have been electrifying. But then everything is left until the very last moment, whether it be then uplifting conversations or the punchline in the storytelling. Speaking of which, the humor isn't as smooth as it was in The Kubo And The Two Strings, there is a lot of extra effort that is to be dragged. While the rest of the effort is spent upon contradicting your opinion or expectations on how or where the film and characters are leading towards. Ironically, in order to do so, Chris Butler, the writer-director, has somehow managed to spring in that same fragrant flower that we all adore but also are familiar to.

The only possible way to reach for the "get out" clause in such a situation is to derive a maturity that would make him bulletproof. And pinning down the sequence where the lead, the protagonist, is helping his friend from falling into the sea, that very moment paints the poised nature of the film where it doesn't appeal to its viewers with irrelevant and incongruent flight jumps or heroic moments to draw in the gasps but stays true to the narration that makes sense in this loud train of summer blockbuster.

Personally, it would always be a love story for me, and not between two individuals, but one personality split into two diversely behaved men, shaved and not so shaved. The mirror like persona that they carry is a beauty to behold, with two separate paths leading to a rendezvous point which is then evolved into the "Home Sweet Home", is the Missing Link that they solve through shuffling the priorities, it starts off as the tale of "The One" and negotiates with us into the "We" type of allegory.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

DawdlingPoet

Nov 27, 2021

This is quite an entertaining film. Sure its cheesy and predictable, to an extent, but its amusing (the fact that the villain is called Mr Stank did make me laugh!) and as I say entertaining as well, for a family film. It features a new range of quirky Aardman characters and has a bit of aThis is quite an entertaining film. Sure its cheesy and predictable, to an extent, but its amusing (the fact that the villain is called Mr Stank did make me laugh!) and as I say entertaining as well, for a family film. It features a new range of quirky Aardman characters and has a bit of a feel of a mix of perhaps Around the World in 80 Days and Pixars Up maybe? not as good but certainly a watchable, um, watch. I also found myself thinking of the Shanghai films starring Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson as well, with the scenes set on a train in the wild West and in Asia. The main character is one that will likely appeal to most children. I'd recommend this film to fans of Aardman studio films and people looking for family friendly films.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JordanLayton

Apr 27, 2020

I hated the art style so the story or the jokes or anything need to land. The story is brain dead with no surprises, no tension, and a message oh so bland and worn out. No likable characters as none of the actors are putting in any real effort and the characters themselves are flat andI hated the art style so the story or the jokes or anything need to land. The story is brain dead with no surprises, no tension, and a message oh so bland and worn out. No likable characters as none of the actors are putting in any real effort and the characters themselves are flat and emotionless. Galifianakis only slightly peaks above the rest but is hammered down by the jokes. This is a film where the same and only joke is told a different way no less than 50 times. It got me to quickly exhale out of my nose the first time it was told and that was the end I sincerely hope we're past the "who cares, it's just for kids" days but I'll say this anyway: Kids entertainment does not have to and should not equal bad entertainment. This was truly a slog to get through and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. The Golden Globes must have been so split between Disneys and How to Train Your Dragon 3 that this somehow edged them out. If its nominated for an Oscar over "I Lost My Body' (review to come), I will be quite disappointed.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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