The Wild Robot – Movie Reviews by Ry!

The Wild Robot – Machine, Child and Heart: A Journey of Life

To build a story, it becomes a balance between creativity and experience.  This dancing act of raw thought can be tiring, but for films, they can lead to stories of rapturing discourse.  No matter how imaginative a tale can be … the simple escape becomes the most important outcome.  In this review, I look at the latest animated tale to hit the big screen.  Within a tale of familiar tropes, The Wild Robot is a wholesome journey that shows what is important, right at the heart of life. 

This is the tale of a robot named Roz (Voiced: Lupita Nyong’o) who discovers that accomplishing an assigned task can mean so much more.  Going into a film, there are elements of intrigue that mask the aesthetics to the journey.  For one that is built through animation, it is a tale that blends lines of realism with the imagination.  In the beginning, we witness the awakening of Roz, a robot that crashes on an island inhabited only by animals.  Through visual storytelling and some tragic mishaps, Roz becomes the parent to a baby goose named Brightbill (voiced: Kit Conner).  From this point, and with the help of an unlikely fox ally Fink (voiced, Pedro Pascal), the film moves from its introductory character/world building first act into a second act that encompasses a thematic journey of wholesome family appeal and raw natural aesthetics.  As the journey moves through each scene, it becomes a building block of characterized moments, focusing on emotional values/ideas in life.  Through Roz’s perspective, there is a methodical approach to the understanding of duty and personal growth that adds credence to the familiar fish out of water trope.  It is through her interactions with Brightbill, Fink and other animals that highlights a heightening value of nature vs nurture.  Each scene is gripping through honest dialogue, blending familial scenes with fragility that is heartfelt, tragic but uplifting.  For all that is driven through commonality, it is the layering of meaning within creativity that brings about a story that is truly one of a kind. 

As the journey moves through its tropes and hearty moments, it begins to turn when the ‘outside world’ starts to interfere.  With Roz being a robot, it provides a burden for the animals.  As things begin to lean into an ominous threat, it brings about a stand against collateral and obvious truths.  This leads into a third act of convenient plot devices (ex. dues ex machina and last second saves) but leveled within hearty moments.  This mixing pot eventually ends with a full circle climax and gratifying epilogue.  The Wild Robot is an animated tale that brings out the heart of simple life storytelling.  If you are a fan of animated films, family-like journeys or creative worlds, this is one for you.  I can definitely say, this was worth seeing on the big screen.

Full Score – 4 out of 5 (Full Price)