The Wild Robot (2024)

The Wild Robot is a heartwarming animated tale that follows Roz, a robot stranded on an uninhabited island. As she adapts to her new environment, Roz forms unexpected bonds with the local wildlife and becomes an unlikely mother to an orphaned gosling named Brightbill. It’s a story of found family, resilience, and the surprising ways in which we can find our purpose.

This DreamWorks offering is a mixed bag of delights and disappointments. On one hand, the film boasts stunning visuals that bring the lush island setting to life. The animation of water, in particular, is a feast for the eyes, rivalling some of the best we’ve seen in recent years. The attention to detail in the natural world is impressive, with every leaf and feather rendered with care.

Lupita Nyong’o breathes life into Roz with a performance that’s both endearing and nuanced. She manages to convey a wealth of emotion through voice alone, no small feat for a character without facial expressions. Kit Connor as Brightbill and Pedro Pascal as Fink the Fox round out a solid voice cast, though their characters don’t quite reach the same depths as our robotic protagonist.

The film’s score, composed by Kris Bowers, is a standout element. It perfectly complements the on-screen action, enhancing emotional moments without overpowering them. There’s a delicate balance struck between whimsy and poignancy that serves the story well.

Where The Wild Robot stumbles is in its pacing and plot development. The first act drags a bit, and there’s a time skip that feels like a missed opportunity to explore some crucial character growth. Additionally, while the themes of adaptation and found family are touching, they’re not explored with as much depth as one might hope.

The film also makes some odd choices in terms of content. For a PG-rated movie, there are a few surprisingly dark moments that might catch parents off guard. A scene involving a severed crow’s head feels out of place and unnecessarily graphic for the target audience.

That said, The Wild Robot does tackle some weighty themes with grace. It explores what it means to be alive and the nature of family in ways that will resonate with viewers of all ages. The relationship between Roz and Brightbill is particularly well handled, tugging at the heartstrings without veering into saccharine territory.

The movie’s environmental message is clear but not heavy-handed. It encourages a respect for nature and the interconnectedness of all living things without feeling preachy. This approach works well, allowing viewers to absorb the message organically through the characters’ experiences.

While The Wild Robot doesn’t quite reach the heights of animated classics, it’s a solid entry in the genre. It’s got heart, humour, and enough visual splendour to keep audiences engaged. The film’s exploration of what it means to be human (or, in this case, “wild”) through the eyes of a robot is thought-provoking, if not entirely novel.

In the end, The Wild Robot is a good, not great, addition to the animated film landscape. It’s worth a watch for its beautiful animation and touching central relationship, but don’t expect it to revolutionise the genre. Families looking for a movie that’ll spark discussions about empathy, nature, and belonging will find plenty to chew on here. Just be prepared for a few bumps along the way.