The Wild Robot

When I watched this movie I was not familiar with the book, so i was going in blind, and boy I was not disappointed. I loved the movie from beginning to end because of the animation style, the characters, the soundtrack, and the different themes from the movie. I always love whenever movies leave a lasting impact on you and this one definitely has. I will be honest I didn't expect to cry during this movie but I did......three times. It was so simple yet complex in what themes they were conveying, and I highly recommend people of all ages to watch this movie. The themes that I picked up on were motherhood, being viewed as different in society, and growing up. I loved and adored this movie so much and I cannot wait to watch it again.

Marking the end of an extremely successful and entertaining era for DreamWorks in-house animation studios which will move onto outsourced works in the future, Chris Sanders newest venture behind the camera following his well-liked works as overseer on hits Lilo & Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon and The Croods is a wonderful send-off for the brand that gave us many an animated classic, with The Wild Robot a genuine contender against box-office heavyweight Inside Out 2 as the animated film of 2024.

An adaptation of author Peter Brown's hit books of the same name, Robot has already been drawing rave reviews and comparisons to the likes of The Iron Giant and Sanders own Dragon adventure, far from feint praise for a film in this genre that here manages to become an all-round package sure to inspire those youngsters that will flock to the story of lost robot Roz and her budding friendship with street-smart fox Fink and young gosling Brightbill, who she acts as a surrogate mother for but also a film that will resonate with older viewers who are sure to find much to enjoy from such a lovingly crafted film full of heart and soul.

Utilising the entirety of its quickfire 100 minute running time, Robot has very few lulls or downtime as Roz's journey of discovery with new friends, as well as what it means to truly care and love outside of her designed confines takes us on a familiar theatrical ride but one that's done with enough uniqueness and sense of its own identity that there's never a worry that Robot is merely ticking boxes along its way to crafting a memorable outing that will have you cheering, laughing and more than likely crying throughout its course.

Standing out amongst everything here is Robot's CG animation style that Sanders himself describes as "a Monet painting in a Miyazaki forest", a style that creates more than its fair share of visually outstanding segments and when this lovingly crafted vibrancy comes together with thoughtful lead voice performers Lupita Nyong'o as the loveable Roz and Pedro Pascal as the initially detestable but eventually likable Fink and enhanced by Kris Bowers exemplary and soaring score, Robot comes together as a complete package in every department.

Narratively Robot undoubtedly takes few risks and many key happenings will be overtly predictable for any seasoned viewer but it would take a very jaded and cold cinematic soul to not find joy and comfort from a film so enjoyable as this, a fitting swansong to a wonderous period of DreamWorks products and a further reminder that the animation world is alive and well with many more notable stories yet to tell.

Final Say -

One of the years most pleasant surprises regardless of genre or design, The Wild Robot is a winning mix of heart, humour and imagination, gifting this familiar feeling tale with a sense of wonderment and adventure that should ensure its place amongst the years biggest audience hits.

4 feigned deaths out of 5

Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)

I saw the Wild Robot during its TIFF premiere and I have not been able to stop thinking about it. It's one of those movies that really makes an impact on you, and you leave that theatre feeling completely changed. The story was so beautiful, so heartfelt and touching that I cried 3 times. It was a beautiful tale about a found family, unexpected bonds and the beauty of motherhood. I'm currently reading the book and can't wait for the rest of the world to see this wonderful movie. Not to mention, the animation is so adorable, especially Brightbill, you will be holding in a coo every couple minutes. I absolutely adore this movie and can't wait to watch it again.

"The Wild Robot" is this generations "Bambi"...yes it's that damn fine...like a coffee from "Twin Peaks".

The Key Lime Pie in this animation masterpiece is the beautiful, inclusive story that deals with so many hot topic issues including: finding your heart or living with a disability, without preaching to anyone.

During the first act I was laughing so hard at the brilliant, natural comic moments shared from the book of the same name written by Peter Brown.

By the second act I was in awe of where this story arc was taking the audience and by the third act I felt salt water in my eyes.

"The Wild Robot" will make you laugh, cry and sigh!

The celebrity voiceover cast of Lupita Nyong'o, Catherine O'Hara ("Beetlejuice" she's so hot right now), Bill Nighy, Matt Berry ("Toast of London"), Ving Rhames, Mark Hamill, Pedro Pascal and so many others do an amazing job of breathing life into this screenplay, backed by the lush island atmosphere and the gorgeous creatures that inhabit it.

Director Chris Sanders obsession with animation from "Lilo and Stitch" to "The Croods" has paid dividends in "The Wild Robot".

This film shows us that sometimes to survive you must become more than you were programmed to be.

DreamWorks managed to bring back the magic of animated cinema with The Wild Robot, a feeling we used to associate with Pixar. For years, Pixar films were all about heart and originality, but over the last 14 years, I feel most of their movies, except for Inside Out (2015), have become more generic and superficial. Thankfully, The Wild Robot, even though from a different studio, brought me that same nostalgic feeling I get from watching Pixar's older films.

The story of The Wild Robot is simple yet beautiful and moving. It explores the contrast between technology and nature in a way that's both touching and thought-provoking. From the beginning, we're drawn in by the innocence of the main robot and the curiosity of the animals around it, showing us a unique example of how the natural and artificial can coexist. This contrast is handled with great care, and for most of the movie, I felt fully immersed in the beauty of this interaction.

The characters, each with their own distinct personalities, are instantly captivating. Every scene has this nostalgic touch that takes you back to the magic of classic animated films, the kind I watched as a kid that seemed endlessly enchanting. It's a film that can truly appeal to both kids and adults.

However, while the first two acts are genuinely emotional and avoid clichés by leaving out forced villains or action scenes, the final act takes a more conventional turn, which is a bit disappointing. It seems to lose some of its original essence and the potential for a unique message, and the ending feels unnecessarily bittersweet, almost as if the producers were already considering a sequel. This final act could have been better developed or even left out entirely to preserve the story's integrity. Personally, I think it would have worked just fine without a traditional villain, focusing instead on a pure journey of discovery.

Despite this change in the ending, The Wild Robot is a fantastic title, a breath of fresh air for the genre, and so far, the best animation this year. It's a film with valuable lessons that can charm and move us, leaving a positive impact on everyone. I highly recommend it for the whole family, reminding us that animation can still touch the hearts of adults, just as it did when we were kids.