Film Review: ‘The Wild Robot’ is a Tender Animated Depiction of Family and Sacrifice

Making an animated film aimed at kids that still lands for adults/parents is a real skill. Sure, Pixar has more or less mastered the art, but they hardly have a monopoly on the idea. The execution just requires a certain touch. DreamWorks Animation hasn’t always been as successful at it, but with The Wild Robot, they’ve really cracked the code. The movie is targeted at children, sure, but the themes, while simple, may well land the hardest for grownup audience members.

The Wild Robot has lots of laughs as well as a tearjerker moment or two up its sleeve. The mix will work best on an older viewer who is fully aware of the themes at play, though it won’t be lost on younger ones at all. That’s the mark of a good animated flick, which this very much is. It works on every level.

In the future, a ROZZUM robot from the Universal Dynamics company is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island. Roz (voice of Lupita Nyong’o) is meant to serve, but what is she to do without any humans? Initial attempts at offering help to the wildlife proves fruitless, so Roz utilizes her technology to learn their languages. Able to communicate, the animals remain skeptical of the robot, but an accident will give her a chance to prove her worth.

After accidentally destroying a goose nest, the surviving gosling imprints on Roz. Naming him Brightbill (voice of Kit Connor), she adjusts her programming to raising the child. Alongside an outcast fox named Fink (voice of Pedro Pascal), they all bond, with the goal of getting Brightbill able to fly so he can migrate for the winter. They’re successful, leaving Roz alone to contemplate the evolution of her programming. As Brightbill migrates and Fink prepares to hibernate, Roz alerts Universal Dynamics to come get her. However, when their interest in her proves nefarious, it will take all of the animals to work together in order to help the robot who has done so much to help them.

Lupita Nyong’o leads a voice cast that all do strong work, though Nyong’o and Pedro Pascal really stand out. Kit Connor is fine, but it’s Nyong’o and Pascal shining through. The former never makes her robot feel robotic, with the evolutions feeling natural, while the latter adds layers to his outcast fox. Additional voice work is provided by the likes of Matt Berry, Mark Hamill, Stephanie Hsu, Bill Nighy, Catherine O’Hara, Ving Rhames, and more, all of whom are more than solid.

Filmmaker Chris Sanders writes and directs this movie with an eye towards adults and children equally. Adapting the Peter Brown novel, Sanders weaves together the happiness and sadness of the story in a way that’s never manipulative. Early on, it’s mostly just beautiful to look at, with 2D and painted looking animation taking your breath away. At the same time, the plot is somewhat sparse. Then, the middle portion really finds its footing, capturing your attention. It leaves the third act a bit generic, albeit surprising, but also where there’s some real emotion. So, while it’s jarring at times and not always the most well paced of movies, it’s never boring.

The Wild Robot is a lovely animated film for the whole family. I cried on more than one occasion, for reasons that may be more about me than the flick, but you may join me. Regardless, it’s one of the best animated works of the year and a surefire Oscar contender. Whether you have kids or not, there’s something here for you, so be sure to check it out.

SCORE: ★★★