Dreamworks ‘The Wild Robot’ Review – Just Give The Oscar for Best Animated Feature Already. In a year featuring Disney Pixar’s Inside Out 2, Despicable Me 4, and Watchman Chapter 1, you have to stand out. Do what everyone else is or has done, and do it better. The Wild Robot stands out both visually, and in the storytelling which holds the movie together from start to finish. In the world of Inside Out 2, be a The Wild Robot! In other words, be original. That does not mean Inside Out 2 is not great, but we have been down that road already.
With all the word salad spewed forth in the coming paragraphs, I will say that parents need to know a few things going into The Wild Robot. Firstly, I witnessed with my own ears one of the fastest reviews that only a child could give when she left the theater, she barely out of the theater doors and said “Mom, that was a sad movie” and she said it in such a forlorn way it almost broke my heart.
This left me wondering what age group this movie is for. The ending may be harder for parents to explain to the younger children, and without giving anything away, it doesn’t end the way kids are used to in today’s world. Not everything is wrapped up in a cute bundle of joy, and the prince doesn’t always get the princess. But it does end how it should!
Secondly, The Wild Robot is not a movie that will spawn action figures, or theme park attractions for the little ones (It doesn’t matter how much I want one). I do not know how you can tie the movie into everyday life with toys and special glasses for sale at McDonald’s. I say all this even knowing The Wild Robot movie has spawned a new franchise because this movie needs to live on and a sequel is desperately needed.
Related: Roz & Brightbill from Dreamworks ‘The Wild Robot’ Movie Photo Op in Universal Studios
I have written a few paragraphs then deleted them, and started again, and the issue I am having is that I feel it is unfair to compare Disney and Pixar to Dreamworks. Each one offers eye candy and amazing storytelling. But, there was a time when Pixar was leading the field in the storytelling department that no other studio could match just like Disney Animation led the pack in the late 80’s and 90’s with music and storytelling. Then Dreamworks came along in the 2000s and offered families something different, something not Disnified. But, here I am about to compare Dreamworks’ newest animated feature to Pixar at its best.
The Wild Robot reminds me of Wall-E in storytelling, the fascination of seeing a robot slowly gaining sentience and exploring its surroundings. Watching something built by humans, become more human than the builders. Watching someone or something grow emotionally in front of your eyes in under 2 hours is inspiring. It makes you reflect on your humanity and your relationship with the world and people around you. There is just something I enjoy about that type of storytelling.
The Wild Robot is a heartwarming tale of a robot named Roz, who washes ashore on a deserted island after a shipwreck. Despite being a machine, Roz yearns for companionship and begins to adapt to her wild surroundings. Befriending a Fox named Fink voiced by Pedro Pascal, an opossum with children of her own, and various other island inhabitants.
As Roz explores the island, she faces challenges and learns about the importance of friendship, loyalty, and the natural world. She eventually becomes an integral part of the island’s ecosystem, proving that even a robot can find a place in the wild. The story is filled with humor, adventure, and a touching message about the power of acceptance and belonging.
Roz and Fink, along with a goose named Longneck become the surrogate family of a gooseling named Brightbill. Doing everything they can to teach the youngling how to become a goose. Eating, Swimming, and Flying.
Roz short for Rozzum 7134 voiced by Lupita Nyong’o is a fascinating character. Void of humanity to start with, becomes a reflection of parenthood. I have read many reviews that say this is a character every mom needs to see, but I disagree strongly with that. Roz is a reflection of anyone who has been put in a parent’s role in raising kids. Whether it is being a coach, a teacher, a Dad, or a parent, I think the saying ‘it takes a village’. Roz is that role. As a father, I found myself reflecting on my place in raising my own children. My triumphs and success, along with my failures, and foibles.
This is when you know you are invested in a movie, can you see yourself in that role? Can you get emotionally involved? The Wild Robot does this very well.
While the storytelling holds the film together, it is the visuals that should captivate the audience. I am not an artist in any way, but the watercolor and impressionist look was impressive. Digital Animation may have its roots in Pixar, but Dreamworks has adapted the style and made it their own.
I started this by saying it is hard not to compare the animation studios, and this becomes even more blurred when you realize the director Chris Sanders who already had written and directed Dreamwork’s best film to date ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ is also the voice of Stitch along with the writer and director of ‘Lilo and Stitch’. I do believe he will also be the voice in the live-action version of Stitch. This is how it should be, these studios shouldn’t be working against each other, but with each other to make a product or movie that the masses can enjoy, and the fanbois can get behind.
The Wild Robot is now showing in theaters.
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