Sometimes there’s too many cooks in the kitchen. Sometimes there are too many storylines in a movie. Same difference.

This needs a lot more chaos energy to power it past the rough spots. None of this should detract from the movie’s good elements and better-angels best intentions.

The story is a touch convoluted, but it’s a gleefully grim good time.

Overall, Wendell and Wild is a solid entry point for introducing kids to horror.