Gorgeously animated, funny, and heartstrings pulling, The Wild Robot not only lives up to expectations but exceeds them for a beautifully moving tale about found families and the ups and downs of life.
The Wild Robot Review
Once every few years a robot comes along and steals our hearts. There was The Iron Giant, then adorable little Wall-E, and of course the best nurse/superhero Baymax. Joining the ranks of lovable metal creations is ROZZUM unit 7134 (Lupita Nyong’o), but you can just call her Roz. Like the others, her story is one for all ages and guaranteed to pack an emotional punch. Although director Chris Sanders’ (Lilo & Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon) film, adapted from Peter Brown’s young reader series, may feel inspired by the others, it is in no way derivative. And if your expectations are high based on the trailer and early buzz from festival audiences, let me assure you they will be exceeded. The Wild Robot is not only visually beautiful but wildly entertaining and bursting with genuine heart.
One of things that immediately stuck out to this millennial was the fact that the humor in this film felt very much like a classic 80s/90s animated adventure. There is dark humor to be found throughout, because like Roz’s matter-of-fact thinking, it doesn’t shy away from the dangers of the food chain. Jokes about dying and death are not morbid but hilariously crafted. Like when the opossums are discussing what they died of- sepsis takes awhile okay? These scenarios also lead to some fun cartoon violence, and again anyone who grew up in the 80s and 90s knows exactly what I mean. Sanders understood the assignment and humor aside, the entire story is wonderful, lovingly lifted from the book pages to the big screen.
Roz, a helper robot, has been shipwrecked on an island instead of being delivered to her new home. She has been programmed to complete any task a human being could think of but here, where there are no people, what is a robot to do? In this case, Roz adapts, taking time to learn new language modules in order to communicate with the animals around her. The animals are wary of her but some see how she can be helpful. After an unforeseen accident, Roz becomes the adoptive mother of an orphaned gosling, Brightbill (Kit Connor). Raising him to adulthood becomes her main objective and thanks to some help from her new friends Pinktail (Catherine O’Hara) and Fink (Pedro Pascal), she just might succeed in this important parental task.
Visually, The Wild Robot stuns frame by frame. From the more perfect lines of Roz’s metallic body and her camera lens eyes to the softer brush strokes that bring out every feather and fur piece on the animals, it simply wows. As Roz continues to adjust to her new home on the island, even those crisp lines become muted, thanks to natural wear and tear as well as lighting choices that give her a warmth despite her robotic state. There is no shortage of colors used to breathe life into the environments, textures, and characters that populate the screen. Sanders has stated that the aesthetic of the film is inspired by classic Disney animated films as well as Hayao Miyazaki and it shows. It’s the best looking Dreamworks project to date, joining the ranks of films that remind us how beautiful animation can be when studios don’t rely so heavily on CG.
As much as the story is about finding your place in the world and adapting to life’s changes, it is also about found families. Filled with parenting metaphors that will make you equally laugh and tear up, The Wild Robot will warm even the deadest heart. Roz’s personal journey is one parents and caregivers can relate to. At first she is clueless about raising a gosling but as time goes on she evolves and begins to understand things not on a programming level but on an emotional one. Her big task is to teach Brightbill how to be a goose so that he can migrate with the other geese. That sacrifice is something I felt in my core and her reluctance to let him go pulled my heartstrings almost out of my chest.
I’m a big supporter of hiring voice actors for voice work. Star-studded casts might draw eyes but can oftentimes be big misses (looking at anyone who hires Chris Pratt to voice anything). The Wild Robot’s cast however is the furthest thing from a failure. Each one put their heart into their characters. Although I was especially impressed by the animators who clearly have watched Matt Berry in What We Do In the Shadows to insure his Paddler had all the sass of Laszlo. Nyong’o’s performance progression throughout the story is impressive, she melts into the role so much so I heard someone remark they had no idea it was her. She imbues Roz with a gentleness and joy that comes through despite the robot’s lack of facial expressions. Pascal and O’Hara equally shine, with Pascal delivering arguably the most heartbreaking line of all. Each character gives something special even if their screen time is limited. As a Lilo & Stitch fan I was thrilled when Ving Rhames popped up.
VERDICT
The Wild Robot is a gorgeously animated, heartstrings pulling film about found families and adapting to life’s changes. You are instantly drawn into this world that feels like a painting that has come to life. As everything unfolds, Sanders approaches Roz’s story with kindness, humor, and a genuine curiosity about how life would be for a robot raising a gosling. It’s an uplifting film about the lengths we go for the ones we love, communities/friends that come together in times of need, and a reminder to enjoy the ride that is our lives. Just don’t forget your tissues, you’re going to need them.
The Wild Robot premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. The film is rated PG for action/peril and thematic elements with a runtime of 101 minutes long. It will release nationwide on September 27.
