The children’s animated movie Missing Link is a curious endeavour. It is largely entertaining, but it is also a film that is very clearly trying to tell us something. It works very hard and very earnestly to make Important Points. I’m just not sure it uses the best narrative choices to achieve what is obviously its goal.

It is written and directed by Chris Butler (ParaNorman), and charts the journey of wealthy adventurer Sir Lionel Frost (voiced by Hugh Jackman) as he sets out in pursuit of cryptids and his own legendary status. We learn early on that Sir Lionel’s big ambition is to be accepted into an exclusive club of self-appointed “great men” and...

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