After every stumble, Dreamworks Animation always seems to get back on track. It’s done so again, following up the disappointing “Kung Fu Panda 4” with a movie that could win the animation Oscar.
Set in the future, “The Wild Robot” centers on its follows its titular character, known initially as ROZZUM Unit 7134, (Lupita Nyong’o), who washes up on an island only inhabited by animals after a failed delivery. Though it takes some time, her processing power eventually allows her to speak with the island’s animals.
Unfortunately, her attempts to befriend the animals and help them with their tasks don’t go well. That is until she finds a lone goose egg and decides to raise the young bird inside. Along the way, she gets help from a red fox (Pedro Pascal) who’s mischievous at first but soon becomes a loyal friend.
Wall-E now has some competition as my favorite robot in an animated family film, because Roz makes a very strong case with her journey throughout this picture. Her character arc is magical follow, as she finds purpose, family and a community, enriching the lives of those around her in the process.
It’s a fairly simple premise at play, with Roz becoming a matriarch to the goose, Brightbill (Kit Connor), raising him with help from the fox, Fink. But writer and director Chris Sanders makes it all so damn endearing that one can’t help but be fully invested in how the familial relationships develop and strengthen over the movie, evolving Roz in the process.
There’s a beauty in how she expresses herself more organically over time, as she moves beyond her programming and finds the will to make the island around her better for all the animals. The dynamic between her and Fink is also really enjoyable, as Roz’s more robotic personality playfully clashes with the fox’s street smart, cynical attitude.
The emotional core of the movie, with Roz becoming a mother to Brightbill, is where the movie is at its strongest, though. What begins as a robot following its programming to complete a task transforms into a mother helping a child grow up. It’s moving to watch unfold, as Roz helps Brightbill learn to fly and migrate.
The voice acting is really solid in this one, too. Nyong’o captures Roz’s early robotic nature, as well as her growing personality and spirit. Pascal, meanwhile, is fun as Fink, playing up his mischievous personality while nailing the emotional moments where the character shows he has a good heart.
The only slight stumble for the film is in some bits revolving around the final conflict. There’s an antagonistic character introduced late in the film that doesn’t quite work, and some of the world building in general could have been stronger.
However, the movie is still very good overall, especially thanks to the animation. The character designs at play are unique, especially Roz, who glows with different colors depending on her emotion and who regularly has to adjust to the elements. There’s some really clever humor at play with how she interacts with the world around her that produces a lot of amusement.
While the larger conflict at play could have been stronger, “The Wild Robot” succeeds where it counts. Roz has a compelling character arc and the familial relationships are special. Plus, the voice cast delivers, the animation is creative and it emotionally resonates in a way that just wins a person over. 4.5 out of 5.
Matthew Liedke on Film 
Great review. I personally loved this movie. The previews alone definitely got me interested in seeing this, but I wasn’t prepared how much I would love this film. The story was incredibly heartwarming and deep and definitely emotional. I teared two or three times in the movie, and I really connected with it….and when a film can do that….it truly is something magical. Plus, the animation was gorgeous and almost like a painted style-esque illustration and the voice talents were solid across the board. All in all, I loved The Wild Robot, and it deserves all the praise that moviegoers and critics have given it.
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