Missing Link (2019)

Mr. Link recruits explorer Sir Lionel Frost to help find his long-lost relatives in the fabled valley of Shangri-La. Along with adventurer Adelina Fortnight, this trio of explorers travel the world to help their new friend.

Director:

Chris Butler

Writer:

Chris Butler

Stars:

Hugh Jackman, David Walliams, Stephen Fry

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hugh Jackman	...	Sir Lionel Frost (voice)
David Walliams	...	Mr. Lemuel Lint (voice)
Stephen Fry	...	Lord Piggot-Dunceby (voice)
Matt Lucas	...	Mr. Collick (voice)
Zach Galifianakis	...	Mr. Link (Susan) (voice)
Timothy Olyphant	...	Willard Stenk (voice)
Zoe Saldana	...	Adelina Fortnight (voice)
Amrita Acharia	...	Ama Lhamu (voice)
Ching Valdes-Aran	...	Gamu (voice)
Emma Thompson	...	The Elder (voice)
Humphrey Ker	...	Doorman / General Pugh (voice)
Adam Godley	...	Lord Bilge (voice)
Neil Dickson	...	Doctor Roylott (voice)
Ian Ruskin	...	Lord Scrivener (voice)
Matthew Wolf	...	Lord Ramsbottom (voice)

Storyline

The charismatic Sir Lionel Frost considers himself to be the world's foremost investigator of myths and monsters. The trouble is none of his small-minded high-society peers seems to recognize this. Sir Lionel's last chance for acceptance by the adventuring elite rests on traveling to America's Pacific Northwest to prove the existence of a legendary creature. A living remnant of Man's primitive ancestry. The Missing Link.

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Plot Keywords:

stop motion animation | explorer | two word title | investigator | character name as title | 

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Taglines:

Discover a Comedy of Epic Proportions

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for action/peril and some mild rude humor

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 April 2019 (USA)

Also Known As:

Film Five

Filming Locations:

Portland, Oregon, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,944,950, 14 April 2019, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$16,649,539, 11 July 2019

Company Credits

Production Co:

Annapurna Pictures, Laika Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Auro 11.1 Dolby Atmos Dolby Digital Dolby Surround 7.1

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film takes place around 1886, as evidenced by the Statue of Liberty being nearly completed in New York Harbor.

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Goofs

Though the film takes place no later than 1886 (as evidence of the Statue of Liberty being shown under construction), Mr. Link has zips up his pants, decades before the zipper was patented.

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Quotes

Stenk: [Stenk stands over Lionel, who is dangling from a ledge] This ain't about the pay-check anymore, just good old-fashioned, self-centred pride.
Lord Piggot-Dunceb: Well, you know what they say pride comes before.
Stenk: Wait a minute, I know this.
[Sir Lionel pulls Stenk off the ledge]

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Crazy Credits

There is a behind-the-scenes clip in the closing credits that displays how the models and graphics were done.

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Connections

References House of Wax (1953)

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Soundtracks

Do-Dilly-Do (A Friend Like You)
Original Song Produced by Josh Kaufman, Walter Martin
Horn Arranger: Stuart Bogie
String Arranger: Rob Moose
Mixed by Tchad Blake at Full Mongrel, Wales
Recording Engineer: D. James Goodwin
Recording Assistant: James Yost
Recorded at "Reservoir, NYC"
Percussion: Walter Martin
Guitar and Background Vocals: Josh Kaufman
Flute, Clarinet, Sax, Marimba, Background Vocals: Stuart Bogie
Strings Performed by Rob Moose
Drums and Percussion: Ray Rizzo
Piano and Organ: Sam Kassirer
Bass: Sam Cohen
Trumpet and Background Vocals: Jordan McLean
Trombone and Background Vocals: Raymond Mason
Sousaphone and Background Vocals: John Altieri
Background Vocals and Handclaps: Anna Nero (as Annie Nero), Elizabeth Ziman, Alecia Chakour

User Reviews

Something Missing

I really do wish I liked Laika's films more than I do. There's something so endearing about the way they make movies, but I can't seem to connect to the stories as much as Pixar/Disney animation. Missing Link is far better than the trailers made it out to be, containing even a few true laugh out loud moments. Anchored by strong voice-over performances from Hugh Jackman and Zach Galifianakis, Missing Link is a serviceable animated adventure in a very crowded 2019. I sure hope Laika can find a nice balance of the creative energy they always bring to the table, with a more universally welcoming story, something akin to what Pixar does.

7.0/10