With a budget of $78 million and earnings of $196 million worldwide at the box office. “The Wild Robot” is a Dreamworks animated movie well-awaited around the world, a movie adaptation of the book, “The Wild Robot” by Peter Brown. The film is directed by Chris Sanders who was a co-writer for “Lilo & Stitch”(2002), “How to Train your Dragon”(2010), and “The Croods”(2013). With a cast of Lupita Nyong’o(voice actor of Roz), Pedro Pascal(voice actor of Fink), and Kit Connor(voice actor of Brightbill).
Right from the start of the movie, the audience is presented with breathtaking graphics. The fluidity in animation is pleasing to the eye, and the attention to detail is stunningly daunting. The animation style is a similar take to that of “The Mitchells vs. the Machines”(2021), “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”(2022), and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”(2023) all of which are a mashup between a 2D and a 3D style.
The soundtrack is just as enthralling as the animation. The music score is composed by Kris Bowers, who does a phenomenal job at incorporating the moment of each scene into something more deep and profound.
The character development in the movie is also commendable. The characters first start from a perspective most would expect, for animals to act and behave as animals. From the way they carry themselves to the way they act with one another, the film displays the natural order of preys and predators(roles and dynamics) but with a funny twist.
Although the movie does have many serious moments, there are many scenes here and there that break the tension and give the viewer time to laugh and breathe. With many dark jokes to spare the film doesn’t stop at one age range but expands to a broader audience, adding to the movie instead of taking away from it.
“The Wild Robot” touches on life lessons and topics in which the viewer can learn from. The movie expresses the importance of becoming something more than what you are “programmed” to do. Especially with one of the main characters, Roz(the robot), who’s character development is crucial and impactful for depiction of growth and plot progression.
The movie also brings a new perspective as to what it means to be a parent. The journey of parenthood is not an easy one. And the pacing of the movie expands on that. “The Wild Robot” advances the same way a book does, when the observer thinks that an issue is done and over with, the issue comes back. Any detail, small or outwardly significant, plays a part in the film, stacking on top of each other like chapters piled up until everything comes together. A new take on advancement in plot.
“The Wild Robot” is an evocative film that leaves the viewers with a lasting impression, so intense as the fire burning within our hearts and as warm as the tears rolling down our faces. Indeed one of the best animated movies of this year.
