The Wild Robot Review: A Stunning Animated Adventure

The Wild Robot is the newest film made by Dreamworks Animation, directed by Chris Sanders who has made animated classics like Lilo and Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon. Chris Sanders has multiple times created animated classics that have stayed within pop culture for decades to come and The Wild Robot joins the ranks of the best films he’s ever made and one I believe is destined to be a future classic.

The film stars Lupitya Nyong’o as a robot named Roz, who has been programmed to handle simple tasks. One of these tasks ends up messing with her programming as she has to take care of a young duckling played by Kit Connor after accidentally killing its family. Along the way Roz runs into a fox named Finx, played by Pedro Pascal. The three grow and bond as they discover what it means to grow up and experience the dangers and beauties of the world around them.

Some people may accuse Wild Robot of treading familiar ground as other animated films narratively. While simple messages of community and self actualization are at the forefront of Wild Robot, the storytelling here is so excellent it feels like hearing this story for the first time again. In a divisive world, a movie like Wild Robot, appealing to a wide audience is a really valuable thing. It can teach people of young and old how we have more in common than we do different. 

One of the best aspects of the movie is the technicals. The animation here is some of the best CGI animation that’s ever seen hit the big screen. It has a style of its own, using bright hues of colors and a sketchy look on the character designs. It’s vibrant and every frame feels like it could be hung like a painting. The cinematography has focus here unlike some animated movies, the framing feels intentional. Along with the sweeping animation is a beautiful score by Kris Bowers that adds power and emotion in every scene. Certain sequences need no dialogue, the serene nature of the aesthetic is enough to make it feel transcendent. Several sequences are goosebump inducing. 

Overall, Wild Robot is one of Dreamworks best films. This is truly all ages entertainment. A poignant tale about growing up and finding a sense of community juxtaposed with some of the most awe inspiring animation that’s hit the big screen. It’s one of the year's very best films.