Product Info

Rated

PG

Release Date (NA)

Dec 3, 2024

Film Length

1hr 42min

Purchase From

Amazon

Walmart

Target

The Wild Robot is based on the 2016 children’s book by Peter Brown. The film offers a charming exploration of belonging, motherhood, and the intersection of technology and nature. Its colorful and heartwarming story is a film many should watch.

At Your Service

© 2024 DreamWorks Animation. All Rights Reserved.

At the heart of the story is Roz, voiced by Lupita Nyong’o (Black Panther, Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Us), a service robot stranded on a remote island after a shipping disaster. Her initial programming drives her to seek purpose from any living being. Viewing animals on the island as potential candidates for providing her with a service task, she spends time acquiring the animal’s language so that she can try to communicate. Naturally, it doesn’t succeed. The animals see Roz as a monster and a threat to their peaceful lives.

After many failed attempts to communicate and provide aid to any wild animal, all was lost for Roz until she met a small duckling named Brightbill, voiced by Kit Connor (Heartstopper, Ready Player One, Grandpa’s Great Escape). Brightbill was hatched on Roz’s robotic hand, and with Roz being the first figure Brightbill saw, he saw her as his mother. The relationship between Roz and Brightbill is the emotional core of the film, showcasing Roz’s evolution from a machine to a nurturing figure. As the robot learns the intricacies of the forest and the behaviors of its inhabitants, the audience witnesses Roz’s gradual acquisition of emotions. Roz is viewed as an outcast on the island by the animals, but as the film proceeds, they slowly accept the robot and its good nature.

© 2024 DreamWorks Animation. All Rights Reserved.

Fink, voiced by Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us, The Mandalorian, Game of Thrones), a cunning yet lonely fox, adds depth to the narrative. His humorous attempts to exploit Roz’s abilities make for an interesting contrast to his own struggles with being an outcast. For example, Fink tricks Roz into building a luxurious house made out of wood and stone for him and fetching food from the waters nearby. Their dynamic is both entertaining and poignant, highlighting the different ways characters cope with isolation. Fink’s interactions with Roz not only provide comic relief but also underscore the film’s broader messages about friendship and community. Fink and Roz are portrayed as parents to Brightbill, and watching their interactions make them the highlight of the film.

Roz’s main quest becomes helping Brightbill migrate with the other ducks, a task fraught with challenges as both characters grapple with their outsider status. This shared struggle fosters a deep bond, as Roz becomes a mother figure, guiding Brightbill through the complexities of nature while also wrestling with her own identity. It is interesting to see the growth of a robot learning emotions, which later becomes a valuable asset when her homeland searches for Roz.

For a film that takes the audience through the journey of watching Roz and her friends grow together, the film feels incomplete. Without spoiling the film, the path Roz decides to take is a bit of a head-scratcher. However, this may potentially allow for a sequel. After all, there are three books in the series the movie is based on.

Visually Spectacular from Afar

© 2024 DreamWorks Animation. All Rights Reserved.

The film employs a unique brush-stroke animation style that resembles another DreamWorks project, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. This artistic choice creates a whimsical visual palette, though the detail can fade when focusing closely on the animals, occasionally detracting from the immersive experience. For example, at the beginning of the movie, the audience will see a family of otters. At first, their design looks beautiful, but as the camera zooms in, it loses its quality. Despite this issue, the overall film is still full of colors and is one of the best-looking 3D animated films today.

The soundtrack, while not particularly memorable, serves its purpose, maintaining audience engagement without overwhelming the visuals or story. It complements the film’s gentle pace, allowing moments of introspection to breathe.

The Final Objective

The Wild Robot is a heartwarming tale that beautifully blends humor and emotion and provides a thoughtful examination of what it means to belong. Its strong character development, particularly in Roz and Fink, creates a captivating experience for viewers of all ages. 

The Wild Robot arrives in theaters on September 27, 2024. An early screening provided for this review. Viewers can visit the official website for tickets and info.