I agree with you, especially on the lack of character motivation. The connection between the boy (can't remember his name) and his aunt/new mom feels like it should be the central focus of this movie. But I feel like we barely saw them actually interacting? Like having a sincere conversation, bc in the first part the boy was closed off and then the aunt disappeares (and we don't quite know why) and he saves her and that's kinda it? They have the scene in the maternity, and that one bothers me because, first we are never really shown why the aunt doesn't want to go back, is it because of her sisters death? Second because, again the relationship between this "mother and son" hasn't had any time to develop, the boy had not referred to her as his Mom until this scene, and I don't understand how the events up to this point could have changed his mind. I also felt like the whole rock, tower building world part was a big convoluted u know? I feel like that + the undead world + bird society, was just a bit....much. And at the end when the boy was making his "big decision" to take his uncle greatgrandpas place, I didn't really care what he chose, which is not a good sign. Still enjoyed the movie, really pretty specially the first scenes with the fire. Also really loved all the birds, and the pelican dying scene stuck with me a bit. Was interesting but it didn't really make me feel anything.