DreamWorks Animation is responsible for some of the best, most entertaining animated films ever. From Shrek to Kung Fu Panda to Madagascar, they have proven to be an animation juggernaut. Their newest movie is a venture into science fiction with The Wild Robot, a film about a shipwrecked robot named Roz, voiced by Lupita Nyong’o. She learns to survive on a deserted island and meets some colorful characters. Universal did a phenomenal job of marketing this film, with a trailer that made everyone know this movie was a must-see event for animation lovers.
Fortunately, The Wild Robot delivers on its promise to anyone who saw that trailer and thought, “Wow, this is going to be incredible.” Based on the book series by Peter Brown, this movie tells an emotionally powerful tale that will resonate with children and adults alike. This film’s distinct animation style is the first quality that places it leagues above the rest. Towards the latter half of the 2010s, animation seemed to be heading towards a very photorealistic style, with films like The Good Dinosaur creating very realistic landscapes, and this trend has continued with Disney’s live-action remakes like The Lion King, which are essentially realistically animated movies.
But when Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse came out, animated films began to embrace the freedom that comes with this medium. DreamWorks followed suit, stepping away from the standard 3D animation and becoming more stylized, particularly with Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. The animation feels like a mixture between the realistic environments and the wild, fantastical style of the new Puss in Boots movie. The film often feels like the illustrations you see in children’s picture books come to life. Everything feels hand-painted. It’s a very rare style that needs to be seen on the big screen.
Fans of Hayao Miyazaki’s work may also find some beauty in these perfectly crafted textures that may take your breath away. From there, The Wild Robot gets to dive deep into the hilarious contrast of seeing a futuristic robot in a tropical setting. Fish-out-of-water stories don’t get much more outrageous than this, and the screenplay from writer/director Chris Sanders is nothing short of phenomenal. He allows you to feel like we’re in a world far away from our own, and he was the perfect candidate to inject this story with humor and heart.
Sanders is responsible for some of the most well-respected animated films ever made. Having directed Lilo & Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon, and The Croods, he has always been churning out consistent quality. Every bit of passion in his body is on full display in this gorgeously animated, breathtaking experience that imbues every frame with life and warmth. There are scenes in this film that feel like they could one day be taught in schools for people to learn about visual storytelling and how animation can convey emotion, narrative, and thematic depth through color, movement, and design.
Our protagonist, Roz, starts as an outsider in an environment that does not suit her. She must learn and adapt to her situation, forging unexpected bonds with the island’s wildlife, including an orphaned gosling she adopts. Roz also meets a mischievous red fox named Fink, voiced by Pedro Pascal. The friendship and bond that forms between Roz and Fink is one of the most compelling aspects of the film. By the time we reach the end of their story, we feel for them because of how well-written the film is, how efficiently the movie illustrates who they are, and how they interact with each other.
At its core, The Wild Robot is a story about parenthood. It’s about Roz learning to become a mother and tackles all of these emotions beautifully. This film is about a robot growing a heart, and the film is crafted with joyous love and childlike wonder throughout every moment. There is a scene where a character learns how to fly, and it feels like the classic type of scene in those old movies that brings a smile to your face and a tear to your eye. It’s a film about finding one’s purpose, the power of connection, and the beauty of embracing differences.
With such an endearing protagonist and the hilarious humor that keeps everything vastly entertaining, The Wild Robot is a movie you cannot afford to miss. It has something for the whole family: laughs, emotion, and a beautiful tale about learning to live with each other in harmony with our environment. The voice work from this incredible cast that includes Nyong’o, Pascal, Kit Connor, Catherine O’Hara, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Matt Berry, and Ving Rhames is splendid. Kris Bowers’s musical score also deserves praise. It’s not just one of the best animated films of the year; it’s a landmark in the genre, proving once again why animation is a medium for all, not just the young at heart but for anyone with a heart.
SCORE: 8/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the art succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.
Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our The Wild Robot review.
