“The Wild Robot,” the newest DreamWorks film, pairs a dazzling animation style with a heartwarming story, delivering a beautiful experience. It follows the turbulent life of a robot, Roz (Lupita Nyong’o), who inexplicably finds herself on an uninhabited island looking for someone to serve. As she begins to adapt to the wilderness, she finds herself the sudden caretaker of a baby goose (Kit Connor). Alongside her newfound fox friend Fink (Pedro Pascal), Roz names the gosling Brightbill and raises him as her own. Eventually, Brightbill has to become independent, and we see the difficulties of growing up in a unique family, as well as how hard it can be to not feel as though you belong.
This film discusses a lot of important themes for growing kids, however it may be a little too graphic at times for very young children, as there are scenes of violence among animals. The relationship between Roz and Brightbill highlights the struggles that both parties encounter from their unusual situation. Roz initially is uninterested in being a mother, finding it burdensome and exhausting. While talking to a fellow mom on the island, she says that she “does not have the programming to be a mother,” to which the mom replies, “No one does; we make it up.” This representation not only adds to the experience for adults watching but also can help kids connect with and understand their parents on a new level. Kids may also relate to Brightbill as he tries to make new friends. Raised by a robot, he is unfamiliar with the social norms of other geese and feels like an outsider; however, over time, he is able to come into his own.
The movie’s pacing started rather slow, giving us plenty of time to see Roz’s assimilation into nature and journey raising Brightbill. However, towards the end, the main climax and resolution of the movie happen rather quickly. Between Roz’s relationship with the animals, her deciding her own future, her relationship with Brightbill, and his own journey of growing up, it can, at times, be confusing to understand what the main conflict is going to be.
The humor in the film is perfect for all ages. The jokes aimed at adults are well done and seamlessly integrated, and the visual comedy is funny for everyone. While it is overall a heartwarming story, it manages to stay lighthearted when it can be, and down to earth when it needs to be. The animation is absolutely beautiful, with every frame feeling like an individual piece of art. The scenery is breathtaking and done in a way that feels immersive. In a time when animation styles in popular childrens’ movies can seem homogenous, it was a nice breath of fresh air.
Director: Chris Sanders
Studio: DreamWorks
Actors: Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor
Writers: Chris Sanders, Peter Brown
Runtime: 1hr 41min
September 29, 2024 written by Kathryn Rachford