Review: “Hidden Worlds, The Films of Laika”

Laika is a popular animation studio among cartoon buffs, especially for fans of Coraline, the studio’s most popular film. Hidden Worlds, a temporary exhibition at Seattle’s MoPop museum, is worth the visit for every Laika fan. The exhibit displays exact recreations of six movie sets including  Coraline, The Boxtrolls, Paranorman, Missing Link, Wildwood, and Kubo and the Two Strings.

The wait starts at the ticketing desk at MoPop, as excitement builds upon seeing other exhibits on the way. As you enter the Hidden World of Laika, you are greeted by Coraline, her parents and of course, her creepy doll. The Coraline exhibit has a variety of displays from the film including the iconic pink Coraline house, the doll, Coraline’s parents, and even the secret tunnel, which  transports people to a whole new world, the world of Laika.

The other side of Coraline’s exhibit has the infamous red couch and a game to engage audiences in understanding how the film was made through videos that explore the perspectives of the filmmakers. The crowd at the Coraline exhibit was the highest compared to the other exhibits, emphasizing the popularity of the movie. Seeing everything strengthened my feeling towards Laika as all displays were bound to memories from my life.

While the Coraline exhibit stole hearts, Mopop’s other Laika exhibits were also fantabulous. The Boxtrolls exhibit had various snippets from the film displayed. Each exhibit had fun moments from the movies to relate to, along with at least one interactive game to give the visitors a sense  of working in Laika Studios. So to every aspiring cartoonist and/or stop motion artist in Seattle, Mopop’s exhibition is a must-visit. Delving into more details, the venue provided various opportunities to make memories with activities like games, photo booths, and signature moments from the films.

Laika never disappointed in their films, and MoPop did not let us down with their exhibit. It is astonishing to see how the craze for Laika Studio’s displays  is not dying down. This was hands down the best exhibit I’ve ever seen. Not only did it contain information about the making of the animated features, but also a variety of interactive displays. I don’t want to spoil all the exhibits, so do be sure to check out “Hidden Worlds: The Films of Laika” before Aug. 11, as that’s the day to say bye bye to Coraline and other beloved characters from the world of Laika.