Often, we humans are unaware of creatures who live creep about in the cover of night. We finally learn who these creatures are in the 2014 stop-motion animated film The Boxtrolls.
Ona dark and stormy night, Archibald Snatcher (Sir Ben Kingsley), the town exterminator reports to the ruler of Cheesebridge, Lord Portley-Rind (Jarred Harris), that a Boxtroll has stolen a human baby. Since Boxtrolls—trolls who adorn themselves with, well, boxes— are dreaded in the land, it’s a terrifying incident for the town, and The Snatcher makes sure he alerts the townsfolk about the heinous act. He’s highly motivated since he yearns to be a member of the secretive cheese council run by the Lord and his rich cronies—despite his severe cheese allergy.
Although greatly feared, the Boxtrolls are simply mischievous scavengers who live below the city, creating their clockwork dwellings with scrap metal, garbage and treasures found in the trash. The human baby, named Eggs—because that’s what it says on his box—is much loved by the trolls, and they raise him as one of their own. As Eggs (Isaac Hempstead Wright) grows up, the troll numbers diminish as Snatcher’s campaign against the creatures reaches a frenzy. When he witnesses his troll father Fish being captured, Eggs decides to go above ground to find out why they’re the town’s #1 enemy and finds a nosy ally in his search to save his troll friends and clear their name.
The Boxtrolls is an adaptation of a 2005 British book, “Here Be Monsters!” written by Allen Snow. Canadian director Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi were at the helm of this intricate and entertaining animated caper and featured the voices of Elle Fanning, Nick Frost, Tracy Morgan and Toni Colette. The incredible work creating the stop motion film earned the film a nomination at the 42ndAcademy Awards for Best Animated Feature.
