The Wild Robot Review: Wondrously Cathartic Adventure for Parents & Kids

The Wild Robot Review: Wondrously Cathartic Adventure for Parents & Kids

As a seasoned gamer and movie buff with a soft spot for animated features, I can confidently say that The Wild Robot has truly stolen my heart. Coming off the heels of Dreamworks Animation’s impressive track record with films like Shrek and How to Train Your Dragon, it was no surprise that this adaptation would be another home run.


For close to a decade, Peter Brown’s The Wild Robot book series has been captivating children – making it an opportune moment for Dreamworks Animation, renowned for productions like Shrek and How to Train Your Dragon, to release a film adaptation. Featuring a stellar voice cast led by Academy Award-winner Lupita Nyong’o as the main character and boasting a distinctive visual style that faithfully translates the book onto the big screen, this cinematic rendition is technically impressive.

Chris Sanders, renowned writer/director known for movies like “How to Train Your Dragon,” “The Croods,” and “Lilo & Stitch,” demonstrates yet again why he stands among the greats in the realm of multi-tiered animated storytelling. The film adaptation of “The Wild Robot” serves as a heartwarming and awe-inspiring fable about parental love, while also functioning as a biting and occasionally deeply emotional critique on the challenges and significant sacrifices associated with parenthood. This delicate balance between the two themes makes “The Wild Robot” another triumph for Dreamworks Animation and sets the stage for what promises to be a successful franchise.

In the future, Earth is home to robots manufactured by Universal Dynamics, called “ROZZUM utilitarian robots,” which serve various purposes from homes to farms. However, when a ship carrying one such robot, Roz 7134, capsizes in a storm, it becomes activated and seeks a customer. Realizing it’s among animals instead, Roz learns their communication methods and helps them in their daily lives. Unluckily, this leads to Roz taking care of an orphaned gosling named Brightbill, as she lacks any built-in parental instructions. To help her navigate this new role, Roz relies on the wisdom of a cunning red fox named Fink, forming an unusual bond between the three characters.

The Wild Robot Review: Wondrously Cathartic Adventure for Parents & Kids

In the race against time, Roz finds herself in a dilemma: She needs to teach Brightbill swimming and flying skills before the onset of winter migration, yet she’s grappling with two conflicting duties – her commitment to helping Brightbill and her inherent instinct to broadcast her location to Universal Dynamics, serving its greater purpose.

Currently, Chris Sanders is solidifying his status as one of the outstanding figures in animated movie production. Accompanied by an exceptional crew of animators, Sanders weaves visual narratives that frequently don’t require dialogue (particularly at the outset). The imaginative creation and functionality of the Roz 7134 robot, along with the diverse wildlife inhabiting its wilderness environment, presents a delightful blend of nature and technology that symbolizes harmony between the two in an optimistic manner. In terms of storytelling, Sanders delivers a tale that resonates profoundly with viewers of all ages, offering perceptive insights while exploring timeless themes related to the child-parent relationship (whether biological or chosen). The sole criticism lies in the film’s runtime, which might be too lengthy for younger audiences (102 minutes), but justifies this extended duration through an exhilarating climax that rivals a big-budget action movie.

The Wild Robot Review: Wondrously Cathartic Adventure for Parents & Kids

As a gamer, I’d put it this way: In this game, I found myself immersed in an incredible cast of characters. Pedro Pascal, from ‘The Mandalorian’, brought his witty charm to life as a wise-cracking character. Catherine O’Hara, known for ‘Beetlejuice 2’, stole the show as a weary yet experienced mother possum. Bill Nighy, remembered for ‘Underworld’, led the flock as an elder goose. Mark Hamill from ‘Star Wars’ and Ving Rhames from ‘Mission: Impossible’ made appearances as a fierce Bear and noble Falcon, respectively. And let’s not forget Lupita Nyong’o, whose vocal talents breathed life into Roz, making her a sympathetic and relatable robot protagonist with a perfect mix of personality, sensitivity, and humor. By the end of the opening act, it was Lupita (as the only vocal performer) who won over every viewer in the audience, creating another Dreamworks animated icon.

As a gamer, I’d put it this way: “Diving into the vibrant world of The Wild Robot was like stepping into an animated masterpiece. It blends mature humor that tickles adult senses with kid-friendly slapstick, all while showcasing a top-notch cast and tackling deep themes about family ties. It’s yet another brilliant addition to Dreamworks Animation’s collection, and with Peter Brown’s sequel books, this movie seems destined for a long-running franchise.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

The Wild Robot is now playing in theaters.

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2024-09-27 20:40