DreamWorks Animation is responsible for some of the best and most entertaining animated films in history. From Shrek to Kung Fu Panda to Madagascar, they have proven themselves to be an animation giant. His new film is an adventure in science fiction with The wild robota film about a shipwrecked robot named Roz, voiced by Lupita Nyong'o. She learns to survive on a desert island and meets some colorful characters. Universal did a phenomenal job marketing this film, with a trailer that let everyone know that this film was a must-see event for animation lovers.
Fortunately, The Wild Robot delivers on its promise for anyone who watched that trailer and thought, “Wow, this is going to be amazing.” Based on the book series by Peter Brown, this film tells an emotionally powerful story that will resonate with children and adults alike. The distinctive animation style of this film is the first quality that sets it above the rest. Towards the latter half of the 2010s, animation seemed to be heading towards a very photorealistic style, with films like The Good Dinosaur creating very realistic landscapes, and this trend has continued with Disney's live-action remakes like The Lion King, which They are essentially realistic. animated movies.
But when Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse came out, animated films began to embrace the freedom that comes with the medium. DreamWorks followed suit, moving away from standard 3D animation and becoming more stylized, particularly with Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. The animation looks like a mix between the realistic environments and the wild, fantastical style of the new Puss in Boots movie. The film often feels like the illustrations you see in children's picture books come to life. Everything looks hand painted. It's a very rare style that needs to be seen on the big screen.
Fans of Hayao Miyazaki's work can also find some beauty in these perfectly crafted textures that can take your breath away. From there, The Wild Robot dives deep into the fun contrast of seeing a futuristic robot in a tropical setting. Fish-out-of-water stories don't get more outrageous than this one, and writer-director Chris Sanders' script is nothing short of phenomenal. It allows you to feel like we're in a world far removed from our own, and he was the perfect candidate to inject humor and heart into this story.
Sanders is responsible for some of the most respected animated films ever made. Having directed Lilo and Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon and The Croods, he has always produced consistent quality. Every bit of passion in his body is on full display in this stunning, gorgeously animated experience that imbues every frame with life and warmth. There are scenes in this film that look like they could one day be taught in schools so people learn about visual storytelling and how animation can convey emotion, narrative, and thematic depth through color, movement, and design.
Our protagonist, Roz, begins as an outsider in an environment that does not suit her. He must learn and adapt to his situation, forging unexpected bonds with the island's wildlife, including an orphaned gosling he adopts. Roz also meets a mischievous red fox named Fink, voiced by Pedro Pascal. The friendship and bond that forms between Roz and Fink is one of the most compelling aspects of the film. When we reach the end of their story, we feel compassion for them because of how well written the film is, how effectively it illustrates who they are and how they interact with each other.
At its core, The Wild Robot is a story about fatherhood. It's about Roz learning how to be a mother and dealing with all of these emotions beautifully. This movie is about a robot who grows a heart, and it's crafted with joyful love and childlike wonder at every moment. There's a scene where a character learns to fly, and it feels like the kind of classic scene from those old movies that makes you smile and cry. It is a film about finding one's purpose, the power of connection, and the beauty of accepting differences.
With such an endearing protagonist and hilarious humor that keeps everything very entertaining, The Wild Robot is a movie you can't miss. It has something for the whole family: laughter, excitement and a beautiful story about learning to live in harmony with our environment. The voice work from this incredible cast that includes Nyong'o, Pascal, Kit Connor, Catherine O'Hara, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Matt Berry and Ving Rhames is splendid. Kris Bowers' musical score also deserves praise. It's not just one of the best animated films of the year; is a milestone in the genre and demonstrates once again why animation is a medium for everyone, not just for the young at heart but for anyone with a heart.
SCORE: 8/10
As ComingSoon's review policy explains, a score of 8 is equivalent to “Excellent.” While there are some minor issues, this score means the art achieves its goal and leaves a memorable impact.
Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our review of The Wild Robot.