Animation has recently ballooned into a real showcase of talent as off lately. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse and more recently Transformers One are all examples of the genre discovering new and creative ways of telling stories with different types of animation. Dreamworks Animation is at it again after Puss in Boots with another watercolour-inspired style with the beautifully crafted world of The Wild Robot.
I could easily go on about the animation, from the wind, the ocean and the animals, everything is brought to life is so much colour and detail that it really is breathtaking. It isn’t just about animation though with the storytelling equally as breathtaking with this film and it proves that there is literally no limits to what can and cannot be created and shown on our screens. The Wild Robot is a marriage of storytelling and animation and the result is something truly unique and original. There are a lot of bad examples of animated films simply made to please an audience, but then stories come along like this one come along that reminds you and captures the heart of the medium and the story in ways that cannot be expressed in any other form.
The Wild Robot from start to finish is a masterpiece in the making. The music whisks you away, the ambience of the forest makes you believe that you are on a remote island and the characters all have personalities and quirks that make each one stand out. The whole plot revolves around a robot that ends up marooned on an island after a storm. Self-named Roz, abbreviated from Rozzum Unit 7134, she is a lonely robot which is designed for domesticated use but soon learns the dangers and perils of nature on this harsh island. She must learn the language of the animals and how they survive. Nothing is black and white and instead she learns there is more to life than ones and zeroes. What develops is a story about Roz connecting with nature and even raising a fletching goose after accidentally destroying its home.
The themes of parenthood, motherhood, survival, finding your identity and purpose are all found within this story. Chris Sanders, the filmmaker instructed to bring this piece of art to life, is known for crafting stories with importance and meaning after his previous work include The Croods and How to Train Your Dragon. Actress Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy and others fill the voice cast and they all fit their respective characters perfectly. Kit Connor has a sense of innocence as Brightbill, Pedro Pascal has a mischievous sensibility like his character Fink the Fox and Lupita Nyong’o brings depth and humanity to the mechanical character of Roz. All these characters and more help bring the film to life in so many ways that include humour, pathos and morality.
I don’t think there is a single thing at fault with The Wild Robot. The story never drags and there are twists and turns all along the way that helps keep audiences engaged. The humour and story is even perfect for audiences of all ages with adults enjoying the film just as much, if not more, than the kids. The Wild Robot is a special film that reminds us to connect with nature and to remind us that it is not easy being a Mother. It will tug at your heartstrings, but the levity is only equalled to that of the lighthearted nature of the animals and their daily tasks. The Wild Robot is a big achievement in every area and should stand tall among other animation classics like The Lion King, Toy Story and Shrek.
★★★★★
5/5
Final Verdict:
The Wild Robot is a breathtaking piece of cinema. The film never dulls down or struggles, instead, it is gripping and it holds your attention thanks to the story and the all-so-impressive visuals. Yes, it looks stunning but it is the fact that this goes hand in hand with the script, character development and pacing that impresses me. The Wild Robot will capture your heart and make it sing. Much like How to Train Your Dragon and The Croods, it appears Chris Sanders has crafted another classic and I hope he continues to do so again. We need more films like this in the world.
Thanks for reading today’s blog!
Alex Murray, the Head of Eyesight Productions
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