THE WILD ROBOT Is a Stunning, Gorgeous Movie in Every Way

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As a father and a movie enthusiast who’s seen his fair share of animations, I can confidently say that The Wild Robot has left me spellbound. The visuals are breathtakingly beautiful, almost making you forget they’re not real animals roaming on an actual island. It’s like DreamWorks Animation finally found the missing piece to their puzzle and it’s none other than The Wild Robot itself.

Prior to “The Wild Robot”, I couldn’t identify DreamWorks Animation’s most visually captivating movie. However, whatever it was pales in comparison to the breathtaking visuals displayed in writer-director Chris Sanders’ latest film. The animation is simply stunning and left me spellbound throughout. The setting, a verdant island in the Pacific Northwest, appears almost real. Similarly, the numerous animals inhabiting this secluded land seem lifelike, making you momentarily believe they are made of flesh, bone, fur, and feathers. Only DreamWorks’ library comes close to matching “The Wild Robot” in terms of beauty, but even that is surpassed by the film’s heartwarming and profound storyline. The narrative revolves around themes such as parenting, family, belonging, and identity, making it deeply moving and meaningful.

In the novel titled “The Wild Robot“, inspired by Peter Brown’s renowned work of the same name, we follow the story of ROZZUM unit 7134, who is rechristened as Roz. This sophisticated robot finds herself stranded on an island devoid of human inhabitants, thanks to a future where high tides have submerged large portions of the world. Despite its desolation, the island teems with life and various animals, who initially perceive Roz as a monster due to her unusual appearance. However, far from being menacing, Roz is engineered to serve others and accomplish any assigned task.

In her search for employment, Roz encounters an unexpected position: that of a mother. She assumes the leadership role in this makeshift family, which includes a solitary, mischievous fox named Fink. The family also takes in a fragile newborn gosling who identifies with Roz following an accident where she unintentionally squashed the bird’s original family. She eventually christens the undersized creature Brightbill.

The story that unfolds next is a predictably heartwarming tale, but not in a boring or unoriginal way when viewed on screen. Unlike other works trying to innovate, The Wild Robot succeeds by creating a fresh take on an old concept. It achieves this by skillfully intertwining themes of found family and growth, narrated from both the perspectives of the parent and child characters. This is done with finesse, charm, depth, and a touch of dark humor that keeps it engaging and genuinely emotional. The story manages to be heartfelt without being overly sweet or clumsy.

This narrative cleverly blends aspects from movies such as Wall-E, I, Robot, Lady Bird, and Finding Nemo in a way that creates a sense of familiarity while still feeling entirely unique.

This story, titled “The Wild Robot,” delves into themes that resonate deeply with readers on a personal level, offering multiple perspectives. Beyond exploring family, childhood, and home, it tackles feelings of isolation, self-discovery, acceptance, community, the value of sacrifice, purpose, identity, and place. It beautifully illustrates how our unique traits, which may seem like weaknesses, can actually be our greatest sources of strength.

Some films struggle to convey a single significant theme, yet remarkably, The Wild Robot manages to explore numerous well-thought-out concepts – each one presented with skillful precision and affection. It’s truly an extraordinary artistic creation, and what makes the story itself equally captivating is its visual elements.

In Sanders’ film, the acting talent is nothing short of extraordinary. The lead roles are skillfully played by Lupita Nyong’o, whose portrayal of Roz in my opinion ranks among the best voice acting performances I’ve ever seen. Her emotional delivery of certain lines left me in tears. Similarly, Pedro Pascal’s portrayal of Fink, a self-centered loner who hides deep vulnerability, was also moving. Lastly, Kit Connor adds a perfect touch to their unconventional family as Brightbill.

The film also features standout performances from Catherine O’Hara as mother opossum named Pinktail, Bill Nighy as wise old goose called Longneck, Matt Berry as the hilarious, strong-willed beaver Paddler, and Mark Hamill as the island’s toughest denizen, a grizzly called Thorn.

In the film The Wild Robot, there are minor issues such as some characters, like the charming falcon Thunderbolt voiced by Ving Rhames, who seem to appear unexpectedly. It’s almost as if the movie trimmed about seven to eight minutes from its 1 hour and 42-minute duration. Given that this is a film kids will adore just as much as their parents, it makes sense for such cuts. However, I would have happily spent three hours immersed in this world filled with love, hope, and camaraderie.

In a very personal sense, “The Wild Robot” moved me deeply as a father. I found myself on the verge of tears throughout the movie, and when it ended, I felt an overwhelming urge to rush home to embrace my son. This film seems to have captured perfectly what it feels like to be a parent. It resonates deeply with the struggles and joys of parenthood, and it beautifully portrays how having a child can fundamentally alter one’s perspective and priorities. While I acknowledge that my emotional response may not accurately reflect the quality of “The Wild Robot”, I believe its ability to connect with viewers on a personal level is undeniable.

It’s quite challenging to narrate a tale that resonates with everyone on a personal level, but this remarkable movie manages to do so effortlessly and gracefully, just as it excels at everything else.

⭐ (5 of 5)

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at TopMob. He somehow managed to not sob like a baby during The Wild Robot. You can follow him on Twitter and Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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2024-09-25 01:32