The Wild Robot is Dreamworks’ best original movie in years

By Charlie Cruz     10/29/24 11:18pm

Rating: ★★★★

"Sometimes, hearts have their own conversations." This line delivered midway through the film struck a chord, signaling that Dreamworks' latest animated feature, "The Wild Robot," wasn’t just another feel-good story — it was something truly special. 

Adapted from Peter Brown's bestselling children's book, the film offers more than just whimsical adventure; it explores survival, parenthood and the unexpected connections that define us. The film follows Roz, a robot stranded on a remote island, as she raises an orphaned gosling named Brightbil through maturity. The Wild Robot enchants with breathtaking visuals, tender performances and a narrative that tugs at your heartstrings, reminding us all that even the most mechanical beings can find humanity. 

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Drawing clear inspiration from "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," The Wild Robot is visually breathtaking. Dreamworks masterfully blends a watercolor-like aesthetic with cutting-edge animation, pushing the medium to new heights. The island setting — lush forests, rolling hills and vibrant wildlife — feels like its own living, breathing character, brought to life with meticulous detail. Every frame reflects the animation team's dedication, from the gentle shimmer of sunlight through the trees to the intricate movements of Roz’s metallic body. Seriously, the movie is worth watching for the animation alone.

Though marketed as an animated children’s movie, The Wild Robot doesn’t shy away from exploring complex themes. Beyond its core narrative of survival and parenthood, the film delves into deeper questions of identity, community, and the intersection of technology and nature. There are moments when death is implied, and the film never sugarcoats the harsh realities of life in the wild. This is where The Wild Robot truly stands out. 

Initially, as the credits rolled, I was underwhelmed by the seemingly understated narrative — something felt missing. There were no grand declarations of love, no overt emotional resolutions. But that’s precisely its brilliance. The film resists the urge to spoon-feed its audience, instead trusting viewers to grasp the emotional weight beneath its quiet moments. It leaves space for interpretation, encouraging reflection. In a world of cinema that often seeks to over-explain, The Wild Robot thrives on subtlety, elevating itself beyond its animated origins.

That’s why the quote mentioned earlier resonates so deeply — it encapsulates the very essence of the film: the unspoken conversations and the quiet, invisible connections that hold us together. At its core, the relationship between Roz and Brightbill is the heartbeat of the story, a poignant exploration of love and empathy without the need for words. As Roz learns to navigate the complexities of motherhood, she evolves — protecting, nurturing and ultimately changing her programming. Brightbill’s presence teaches her the importance of vulnerability and embracing the unknown. Their bond transcends verbal communication, relying instead on actions, emotions and immersive storytelling.

The film made me realize why animation holds such a special place in storytelling. This medium uniquely conveys emotions and truths in ways that live-action often struggles to replicate. The Wild Robot is a testament to this, proving that beneath the glossy surface of CGI lies a living, breathing heart that connects with audiences on a profound level. Through the animated world, we can fully explore the complexities of Roz — a robot lost in the wild — in a way that live-action simply couldn’t. The film effortlessly blends the mechanical and the natural, allowing Roz to navigate her new environment without being bound by the constraints of realism.

Ultimately, imagining The Wild Robot having the same impact in any other medium is hard. Animation provides the perfect canvas, striking a delicate balance between fantasy and reality, making the story feel emotionally grounded and wonderfully imaginative. Every element — from Roz’s subtle, mechanical movements to the lush, dreamlike landscapes of the island — is elevated by the medium, creating an experience that feels immersive and deeply moving. The film’s themes of survival, parenthood and connection are brought to life in a way only animation could achieve, making The Wild Robot a truly special work. It’s a reminder of the boundless possibilities this art form offers, inviting us to feel, reflect and connect in ways that linger long after the credits roll.

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