Willy’s Wonderland – Another Beautifully-Insane Cage Feature

Now everyone more or less knows about the Nicholas Cage vs. animatronic animals movie but knowing cage, this isn’t really that big of a stretch. The insane Nicholas Cage movie where he pretty much plays subtle variations of the same character every time has essentially become its own subgenre much in the way that Liam Neeson pretty much plays subtle variations of the same character in all of his action movies. That being said, there’s nothing necessarily wrong with that clearly since all those films have always seemed to find some success either financially, sometimes critically, and/or by receiving cult status. Willy’s Wonderland, that Nicholas Cage vs. animatronic animals movie is destined to fall somewhere in the latter. Let’s face it, that insane Nicholas Cage subgenre is an acquired taste that won’t be for everybody, this is known. Suffice it to say that this film will not be converting anyone and that’s okay. However, those willing to take the chance will be treated to an absolute blast that viewers could be proud turn their collective brains off for and let the insanity wash over them.

Willy’s Wonderland is merely a greatest hits in terms of the insane Cage subgenre. As mentioned, it’s the Cage vs. animatronic animals movie and as far as most viewers are concerned, the why doesn’t really matter all that much which shouldn’t come as that much of a surprise. The story saw a quiet drifter (Cage) stranded and taking on a job as a janitor at a condemned family fun centre in exchange for a way out. Most have probably already figured out where things go from there. As far as the drifter was concerned, he just wanted to get through his work. Seemingly unfazed by what was happening, it was hard to know for sure what was going through his head since he never uttered a word, that contrast made for an entertaining not to mention hilarious watch though those two worlds inevitably couldn’t stay apart forever. Nevertheless, watching the drifter go about his menial and mundane cleaning work was still fun to watch in spite of the fact that it was just someone cleaning. Meanwhile, one can’t help but imagine what the place used to be in its heyday.

In the end, a film solely following a quiet character was probably never going to work for most viewers therefore Willy’s Wonderland through in some other characters to help drive the story forward or at least give the drifter other characters to play off of. While their impact on the story was minimal, they made for a fun dynamic with the drifter. And if that won’t work for viewers, at least they made for some satisfying fodder for said evil animatronic animals. The aforementioned battles were glorious and the epitome of the insanity as well as not for the feint of heart despite the fact that the drifters combattants were again ridiculous animatronic animals whose original nature had since been perverted beyond repair. The film’s premise is a ridiculous one but it was fully aware of that and the way which it bought into that insanity made it even better, especially with a cool soundtrack playing overtop of it.

Despite the film’s low budget, the lifelike animatronic characters were quite a marvel of practical effects and costumes. Full of personality and creativity behind them, they were a delight to watch. They still fit within the horror mould as the script and the filmmakers employed them and the environment of the fun centre in inventive ways. Ultimately, the best part of Willy’s Wonderland was of course Cage’s superb performance as a drifter. When it comes to this subgenre, Cage certainly does not have anything left to prove so in this film, he let his actions do the talking. He didn’t needs words anyway as his dynamic screen presence made for an engaging strong silent type and was an absolute badass that simply gave no Fs. That energy radiated through the screen.

At the end of the day, Willy’s Wonderland is an insane blast and with such a short running time, clocking in at under 90 minutes, it will be done in a flash.

still courtesy of Screen Media Films

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.