Spawned from the NYT #1 best seller by Peter Brown that managed to speak to multiple generations, not just kids, Dreamworks Animation’s The Wild Robot proves to be a real gem in the genre that likely will become a classic, and no doubt bring sequels just as Brown’s book is now a literary series. With beautiful animation, a smart script that has equal humor, action, heart, and lessons to be learned for any age, this movie transcends the boundaries of just animation and will enchant audiences. It Spielberg’s E.T. had been an animated film instead, it might resemble what writer/director Chris Sanders (How To Train Your Dragon, The Croods, Lilo & Stitch) has created here. However, The Wild Robot weaves its own magic and for that we can all cry tears of joy.
The story is ingenious, with Rozzum 7134 aka Roz (Lupita Nyong’o), a robot who gets shipwrecked with a group of robots during a typhoon on an island only populated with animals but no humans, and who has no idea how to interact with them never having seen any of these creatures before. Still with robotic tendencies remarkably in sync with the rote behavior of many creatures, this is as it turns out kind of an ideal situation for Roz to thrive, at first with comical results and then the discovery of an unhatched egg, which she nurtures into life, of a little gosling who will be named Brightbill (voiced by Kit Connor). Unbeknownst to the new arrival, Roz was inadvertently responsible for his family’s death, but she makes up for it and becomes the unlikeliest of adoptive mothers, joined by a feisty and energetic fox named Fink (Pedro Pascal) on their adventures keeping the gosling safe from all those inherent predators lurking in and out of the ocean and this island.
It becomes almost an Alice In Wonderland-style adventure for Roz and Brightbill as Fink guides through the population with his trademarked self-confidence, a kind of Artful Dodger. Along the way they get plenty of advice including hilariously from the Possum, Pinktail ( a wonderfully wacky Catherine O’Hara) who is bringing up 8 little possums of her own, clearly exhausted but friendly and willing to share the lay of the land. There is also Thorn (Mark Hammil), a Grizzly Bear with more bark than bite; Paddler (Matt Berry), an eager beaver; the goose Longneck (a regal Bill Nighy) and more. As Brightbill didn’t have a real mother, he must learn to fly encouraged by Roz who, with Fink’s help, enlists an all-pro Falcon , Thunderbolt (Ving Rhames) who demonstrates how to soar with short wings.
What is so refreshing here is the lack of a single human so that it more often than not resembles early Disney like Bambi with its treasure trove of amusing and lovingly animated animals, birds, and creatures of all types trying to exist together in this unique society. One wonderful scene has Roz, at this point bruised and battered, calling for all the citizens to learn to live with each other despite their natural tendencies to hate. For the greater good it is important to know they have more in common than they think,and for the divided States of America right now it is a prophetic and important message, not one that hammers us over the head but one that proves to be fortuitous as they must all band together in an action-filled finale against Robots who have their own plans, and that involves bringing Roz back into their fold after she finds such acceptance on this island. But with her mission winding down, and Brightbill gaining independence it may be time to go. Or not.
The voice cast is across the board great with Pascal’s foxy fox, Fink best of show. Nyong’o finds the perfect lovely tone for Roz, sweetly robotic but nurturing and loving. Stephanie Hsu also has some fine moments as another robot character who figures in the scenario. In addition to the painterly great animation, remarkable on every level, there is a soaring score from Kris Bowers that brilliantly matches all the action, quiet moments, and laughs along the way.
The humber one ingredient here though is heart. The Wild Robot which had its World Premiere today at the Toronto International Film Festival has heart in droves and can’t help but become a gift for families this Fall. Animated movies just don’t get better than this. Actually movies just don’t get better than this.
Producer is Jeff Hermann.
Title: The Wild Robot
Festival: Toronto
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Release Date: September 27, 2024
Director/Screenplay: Chris Sanders
Cast: Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Matt Berry, Ving Rhames, Mark Hammil, Catherine O’Hara.
Rating: PG
Running Time: 1 hour and 41 minutes