Stitch Head is a Frankenstein-esque story with a bit of gloom and whimsy like in A Nightmare Before Christmas, plenty of goofy monsters and is chock full of lessons about friendships. There is singing, dancing and plenty of dry humor. Like most kid movies the story is pretty predictable, but the stylish visuals and decent pacing kept my children glued to their seats, even if I found myself a little bored. But it’s fine that I was a little bored. I am clearly not the target audience. When the press invite came to me for the film, my 7-year-old said we had to go. It was clearly imperative. Stitch Head is adapted from the graphic novels by Guy Bass and Pete Williamson, which she had greedily read several times. Asa Butterfield voices the lonely Frankenstein’s monster of a child, aptly named “Stitch Head.”
The boy is the first creation of manic scientist Dr. Erasmus, voiced by Rob Brydon, who tirelessly churns out misfit monsters in his towering Castle Grotteskew. The fortress looms over the foggy hamlet of Grubbers Nubbin, a tiny hamlet of somewhat dimwitted townsfolk who recoil at anything resembling the abnormal. Watching the scenes play out, reminded me of Wallace and Gromit. The humor and all the delivery is very dry and thoroughly British.
One of the early premises of the film is that Stitch Head cares for the absent-minded inventor’s menagerie of bizarre, colorful creatures. Each one is extremely unique, sometimes featuring mammal characteristics, others are reptilian and many seem to be part wind-up toy. Each time Erasmus zaps a new creature to life, Stitch Head shows them a grainy instructional film titled “Almost Life,” a comically grim guide that warns them to suppress their monstrous urges, lest an angry mob storm the castle with torches and pitchforks.
Despite the warnings of mobs, the boy is drawn into the clutches of Frank Freakfinder, voiced by Seth Usdenov, a showman who runs a traveling carnival. The film’s climax unfolds much as expected: Stitch Head must escape Freakfinder’s grasp, reunite with his fellow monsters, and confront a human mob. Fortunately he finds an unlikely ally in Arabella, voiced by Tia Bannon. She is a bright young village girl who sees past Stitch Head’s patchwork exterior.
Stitch Head doesn’t reinvent anything, but it has flair. The film’s shadowy aesthetic, clever creature designs, and witty touches give it more polish than other kid flick fare.Stitch Head is a visually engaging, soft-hearted monster tale that will delight young viewers and mildly amuse parents. It’s a decent 6/10.
