The Wild Robot

The Wild Robot is a monumental film that in many ways transcends the medium of film into something greater - a portrait of universal human experiences.

Throughout the film, a beautiful tapestry of human experience is woven - comprising the experiences of love, nature, connection and belonging. Almost every frame, through the music, through the colours, through the narrative and the composition and the environments, are able to communicate, in their own way, the essence of one of those experiences; and when they are put together they create something far greater than the some of their parts.

Now this film, is not a masterpiece, but in my opinion no film or piece of art can be. In many ways it just serves as an excellently made 'kid's movie', with nice universal themes and Schadenfreude humour. But what's great about this film is that it's visceral; it's direct. And that is in opposition to many films that are just targeting an adult audience.

A common mindset shared between many artists is that oblique complexity lends itself to high value art. That vague themes and narratives ushers the art into the club of 'high art.'

But in part due to the fact The Wild Robot is a 'kid's movie', it avoids those pitfalls of obliqueness and is able to beautifully and directly convey its themes.

And although The Wild Robot is a film, it has the essence of a tapestry, of a painting. In so many of the frames, there is a profound sentiment expressed. The frames pique a ruminative state, while also engrossing your emotions. It's truly something special to experience. And an experience I have not had before in the over 300 films I have seen.

In terms of film-making techniques, originality and creativity, there are certainly other films that could be said as being superior. But in terms of visceral expressions of love, of human experiences and the ups-and-downs of connection - The Wild Robot is in a category of its own as a film. And I think it belongs with some of the best art humanity has ever created.

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 had low expectations for this movie, but guess what?! My goodness, I haven't seen a movie like this for a long time! Simple but deep at the same time. The message about life and how it's goes, and how the life is, it's deeper, inspirational and I think it can move us to think about life and our relationships. It's a such good movie for a kid or an adult. I'm very impressed! I hope that the industry could copy the formula for doing a great movie. The message on the movie helps and make our life's richer about what really matters. It's instantly a classic, and I hope my review helps more people to watch that movie and experience a beautiful master piece!

"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.

I loved this movie.

It has a wonderful message of tolerance and unity. The voice acting is charming. The animation is very good, stunning at times. I liked the story, though I can see some people feeling it's too schmaltzy or corny.

In a world that is so divided, and a country that is seemingly hopelessly divided, it's very comforting to experience a story of characters coming together, being able to accept their differences, and building a community. Sadly, that's what makes it fiction too. But it's nice to dream.

The fact that the title character, and the character that inspires all the change, is the ultimate "other" only serves to make the point more elegantly.

I suppose some people will think it's manipulative and needlessly tugs at the audience's heartstrings. But that's part of the beauty to me.

I loved this movie.