Review ‘The Wild Robot’

A dazzling and colourful tale from Chris Sanders, creator of animated staples like Lilo and Stitch, and How To Train Your Dragon comes The Wild Robot, a touching and beautiful film about love, family and purpose. It follows Lupita Nyong’o’s Rozzum 7134, a task oriented android, after she crash lands on a deserted island. Though no humans are present, the island is populated with adorable creatures from foxes to bears to hawks to otters… and one particularly precious gosling named Brightbill (Kit Connor).

A vibrant and immersive endeavour, we watch as Roz seeks to complete her latest task in preparing Brightbill for migration in the fall. But she’ll soon discover that raising the little gosling and befriending the other animals on the island will challenge her programming and introduce her to a form of connection that doesn’t exist through electronic means.

The Wild Robot is an absolute triumph for Dreamworks. The animation is a gorgeous and dazzling feast for the eyes. Every shot is like an eloquent painting, donning verdant landscapes that beg audiences to recall the beauty of our planet and the solace we might find in respecting it (and each other). Sustained by a touching and sentimental message of self-acceptance, something people of all ages and walks of life can relate to, the film encourages audiences to embrace their differences despite society’s constant pressure to assimilate. It also weaves a delicate and emotional relationship between Roz, Brightbill, and Pedro Pascal’s Fink—a crowd favourite.

The few moments that played childish or cheesy were rapidly recovered by a visceral score that truly rounds out the film and pairs well with the bold choices in animation. The imagery is meticulous and pristine, down to every detail, and invites multiple viewings. The voice work in The Wild Robot is exceptional and so is the story, which is expertly crafted and sure to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages despite its PG rating. This is a no-brainer for families looking to introduce their children to an animated adventure and it’s refreshing to see Dreamworks push original projects to the forefront of their slate. Not that anybody would ever doubt a legend like Sanders, but The Wild Robot is surprising in the way it explores the depths parents (mothers, especially) might need to dive into themselves in order to be heroes to their children—and to others.

An absolute must-watch and a genuine contender in the running for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards.

Watch the trailer for The Wild Robot below

Universal Pictures and Dreamworks release The Wild Robot in theatres on September 27, 2024

[Review by guest blogger Jurgen Sosa]