The Wild Robot is the best Dreamworks has ever been. Sure, the animation studio struck gold in the past with Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train your Dragon, but it’s at its storytelling and artistic best with this adaption of Peter Brown’s 2016 children’s book.
From its breathtaking first frame, The Wild Robot tells the story of ROZZUM Unit 7134, a robot whose shipping container washes up onto an abandoned Northwest Island. After trying to help the animal inhabitants and being thwarted at every turn, the robot eventually learns their language and tries to interact with them. This leads to the death of a mother goose and the destruction of her nest, leaving a single surviving egg. While attempting to save it from Fink (Pedro Pascal), a sly fox, the egg hatches in the robot’s presence, causing the gosling to imprint on her.
Determined to complete at least one mission on the island before returning to her manufacturer, she opts to help the baby survive by teaching it to eat, swim, and fly — all before it must migrate South for the winter. Naming it Brightbill (Kit Connor), ROZZUM Unit 7134, now called Roz, teams up with Fink to raise him with a few bumps along the way.
The Wild Robot makes it clear from Roz’s first moments on the island that this is no Disney movie. The circle of life is in full effect on this abandoned island, with animals being eaten and lost to the elements at an almost alarming pace. While done with humor, it’s never intentionally cruel, making it suitable for younger viewers. Writer and director Chris Sanders infuses the narrative with sweet moments as well, creating a moving story of motherhood.
With nearly every frame worthy of an art museum, this film is destined to become a classic. You can see the individual brushstrokes on every tree and piece of chrome in this thing. While the story feels slightly thin in some places, the characterizations and humor make up for it tenfold.
There is not a single dud in this voice cast. Nyong’o has the neat possible task of telling an emotional and heartfelt story through the voice of an unfeeling robot and does so with grace and precision. Her performance is a mix of childlike wonder and the wise tree from The Giving Tree. Pascal brings a snazzy attitude to Fink that is only made better by his vulnerability. Filling out the voice cast are Catherine O’Hara, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Matt Berry, Mark Hamill, and Ving Rhames, each getting their own moment to shine.
Between the brilliant voice cast to a moving score by Kris Bowers, there are plenty of reasons to see The Wild Robot. However, it deserves to be seen on the big screen. This is one you won’t want to miss.
The Wild Robot is in theaters Sept. 27. Watch the trailer below.
