Rating: 3.5/5
Synopsis:
DreamWorks Animation may have another hit on their hands. After crash landing on an unfamiliar planet, a robot designed to assist people finds herself surrounded by animals. The new environment conflicts with her ability to complete her task. But when a baby goose hatches in front of her, she quickly assumes a motherly role so that the infant can survive. What unfolds is an unexpected journey of motherhood, friendship, and courage.
Positives:
The buzz surrounding “The Wild Robot” was unexpected. I thought the trailers looked pretty generic compared to previous animated movies. But with a resounding stamp of approval from both critics and audiences, my interest in the film surged. I’m happy to say that “The Wild Robot” is a crowd pleaser all around! It combines some nice thematic elements with incredible animation. The coloring and oil pastel aesthetic of the world these characters inhabit really help immerse the audience in the story. This is a great example of visual storytelling, where much of the emotion and character interactions are conveyed through the style. Audiences will have a blast in this regard.
There is also a sweet and sentimental story for families to enjoy. The fish out of water premise combined with themes of motherhood and newfound family blend nicely. There are plenty of colorful characters and unique dynamics that keep the story fresh. Seeing Roz encounter different kinds of animals adds a fun element to her journey. Her dynamic with Brightbill was sweet, where parents and children will connect with it in different ways. Stories where both children and parents resonate is a great formula for success. Pixar has thrived with this method for years and it’s nice to see DreamWorks embracing it as well.
Negatives:
As much as “The Wild Robot” gets right, I am not on the level of praise as some seem to be. Outside of some truly unique animation, the thematic elements feel familiar. Whether it be the exploration of parenthood (Finding Nemo) or a humanistic approach to robots (WALL-E), nothing feels particularly fresh. While the film has some undeniably emotional moments, I don’t think they stand out amongst the best. What we get has been presented in animated movies for years and years. Nothing in the thematic explorations or the tender moments feel distinct to this movie. I couldn’t help but recognize material that is borrowed from other films in the genre. The story moves at a breakneck pace that never allows us to really get to know these characters. I constantly felt like the events of the film were going too fast, rushing some important plot developments that would have made the characters stronger. The story meandered at times too. Certain sequences linger for way too long and others feel too rushed. I could see the film being improved if it were ten to fifteen minutes longer.
Conclusion:
“The Wild Robot” is a bright and energetic animated feature that is one of the year’s best crowd pleasers. Its animation is truly special, letting it guide the story forward with incredible visual representation. The story is where it feels mundane to me, as many of the themes are present in other (better) movies. Perhaps a sequel will tighten up the story and help the franchise stand on its own. But families will have a good time with this one, so seeing it on the big screen is a recommendation from me!