Introduction

Robotic cinema has had an interesting ride over the years. These films and TV shows are usually used to explore one of three themes. We might see how robots will bring the demise of humanity (Terminator, I Robot). Or the robots might be a stand in for how we as a society deal with those that we deem lower or different than us and even how an outsider would react to the treatment (Bicentennial Man). Or they might even be a way to explore how neurodivergence and not fitting into society (A.I. Artificial Intelligence). Dreamworks new film, The Wild Robot, is able to explore all of these with brilliant results in what is quite possibly the best of the genre.

Synopsis

The Wild Robot stars Lupita Nyong’o as Roz, a futuristic helper robot that is accidentally delivered to an island devoid of human life. Roz searches for a master and tasks to perform and eventually learns how to communicate with animals. Eventually she finds a duckling she names Brightbill (Kit Connor) and is tasked to raise it by a dubious fox named Fink (Pedro Pascal). Roz’s task to raise and prepare Brightbill for migration consumes her life.

Review

There is an obvious metaphor in Roz becoming entirely consumed by her task of raising the child. She is clearly meant to represent the selflessness of motherhood done well. However, the obviousness of it doesn’t detract from how powerful the metaphor is. I was so deeply moved by this aspect of the film that I spent probably a third of the film with tears leaking out of the corners of my eyes.

The director Chris Sanders has created something truly spectacular here. Seeing it felt like the first time I saw How to Train Your Dragon for the first time. This isn’t surprising, given he was one of the co-directors of that movie.

Another theme is the evergreen trope of exploring “otherness.” Another thing that Roz has to deal with is being an outsider, something that most of us have to deal with at one point in our lives. I was particularly struck with how she is more or less an immigrant into this society of animals. They are naturally distrustful of her, and she has to work harder than everyone else to get what she needs.

The voice cast is quite delightful, and it was surprisingly filled with Star Wars veterans. Nyong’0 is having a really great year between this and A Quiet Place Day One and proving she is among the finest actresses working today. I always love seeing or hearing Bill Nighy, if only for a short time here. I’m happy to report that Awkwafina did not make an appearance. However, they should definitely consider putting Matt Berry in every movie they do. He elevates the humor so significantly.

The Bottom Line

The Wild Robot is not only the best animated film of the year so far, but also one of Dreamworks’ best films ever. I can’t recommend it enough.

4.5