Sir Lionel Frost, voiced by Hugh Jackman, and Mr. Lin, voiced by Zach Galifianakis, appear in a scene from the animated movie "Missing Link." The Catholic News Service classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. (CNS/Annapurna Pictures)

By Catholic News Service

In this animated comedy-adventure, a spirited send-up of Victorian England, a world-famous investigator of myths and monsters (voice of Hugh Jackman), anxious to qualify for membership in a London club by making a major discovery, travels to America to find Bigfoot (voice of Zach Galifianakis), aka the missing link. He’s tracked by a bounty hunter (voice of Timothy Olyphant) who’s been dispatched by his archrival back in Britain (voice of Stephen Fry) to thwart his quest. Once encountered, the fabled monster turns out to be a kind-hearted, lonely furball who longs to visit his Yeti cousins in the Himalayas. So, joined by an explorer (voice of Zoe Saldana), the duo sets forth.

Unfortunately, many of the gags in this otherwise enjoyable jaunt, written and directed by Chris Butler, are aimed at grown-ups and, in some cases, teeter on bad taste. They include jokes about homosexuality and a routine in which Jackman’s character disguises himself as a nun. Though acceptable for grown-ups and older teens, this is thus not a cartoon for kids.

Mature, sometimes rude humor, cartoon mayhem, some peril. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

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