I’ve been looking forward to seeing Chris Sanders’s (Lilo & Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon) adaptation of The Wild Robot all year. From the first moment I saw one of the gorgeously animated trailers featuring the adorable robotic assistant Roz (Lupita Nyongo’o) alone in the wilderness, I was hooked. I was so interested in the concept of a “wild robot” that I wanted this film to surprise me, so I avoided almost every subsequent trailer and synopsis, and I’m glad I did.
I had no idea what to expect from The Wild Robot, other than a robot hanging out in the woods, so when the film unfolded before me I got to experience Roz interact with the wildlife on a small deserted island, and inadvertently find herself a family.
The Wild Robot is, first and foremost beautifully animated and, barring a few unfinished-looking shots near the finale, is probably Dreamworks most stunning-looking film. The entire film is teeming with life and color as we watch Roz explore the island she’s found herself shipwrecked on. Even Roz herself is a joy to look at, between the bright neon lights that accentuate her robotic body and the fluid movements and expressions she displays as she aims to perform her tasks as efficiently as possible, she is immediately endearing and audiences will eat her up.
Roz’s journey on her island is one of learning. She’s dedicated to completing her task, but on a deserted island, there’s no one around to assign her one. Eventually she finds herself with a small gosling (Kit Connor) that has imprinted itself on her as his mother. Coming to name the gosling Brightbill, Roz finds that her task is ensuring Brightbill’s survival and growth. As she works towards the completion of this task, she learns how to be a mother, something she wasn’t designed to be. The core of The Wild Robot is a beautiful story with touching highs and heartbreaking lows, and the message that a found family is just as real as any blood-related family is strong.
As the film builds to its climax, however, the story starts to take a backseat to an action-packed spectacle. Things get loud and messy and it feels just a touch out of place from the rest of the film. These scenes are still gorgeously animated, and ultimately The Wild Robot returns to the serene storytelling from earlier in the film for the conclusion. Finishing on a bittersweet note that softly sets up potential for a sequel, The Wild Robot wraps up nicely.
Lupita Nyongo’o’s performance as Roz expertly toes the line between robotic and whimsical, instantly becoming one of the most endearing voice performances in recent memory. Kit Connor’s Brightbill is also a standout from the film, and Pedro Pascal, who continues to show up just about everywhere you look in Hollywood, delivers a solid performance as Fink the Fox, one of Roz’s first real friends on the island. Other standout performers in The Wild Robot include Catehrine O’Hara as Pinktail the possum and Ving Rhames as Thunderbolt the peregrine falcon.
As I said up top, I’ve been looking forward to The Wild Robot all year, and it did not disappoint. It’s gorgeous and touching, and I can see it becoming an instant animated classic that people will be showing their children for years to come.
Score: 8.5/10
The Wild Robot
Directed by: Chris Sanders
Release Date: September 27, 2024
Starring: Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Matt Berry, Ving Rhames,
Mark Hamill, Catherine O’Hara, and more.
Rating: PG
Running Time: 1h 41minutes
Synopsis: After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot called Roz is stranded on an uninhabited island. To survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island’s animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose.
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