Review: Exquisite ‘The Wild Robot’ uses machines and animals to tell a human story
As a seasoned viewer with a soft spot for unique animated features and a heart for emotional depth, I must say that “The Wild Robot” is nothing short of a breath of fresh air. This big-studio gem boasts its own distinct identity, wrapped around an unconventional story filled with humor, emotion, and a healthy dose of the unexpected.
In ‘The Wild Robot’, you’ll find a unique storytelling style that sets it apart as a high-quality animated feature film. It boasts its own distinctive aesthetic, tone, and identity. The narrative is filled with humor, heart, and emotion, all of which are genuinely earned. Notably, the voice acting, particularly by Lupita Nyong’o and Pedro Pascal in their leading roles, is exceptional. This movie is charming both visually and emotionally.
In Chris Sanders’ film adaptation based on Peter Brown’s books, a shipment of household robots malfunctions, and one of them – ROZZUM Unit 7134, or “Roz” for short – ends up stranded on a lush island inhabited by forest creatures. When Roz (voiced by Nyong’o) is unintentionally switched on, she realizes humans aren’t around to instruct her. She wasn’t designed to interact with wildlife; instead, she needs a directive. So, she makes a smart move hinting at the cleverness of the storyline. She sets herself to “Learning Mode,” falls dormant while plants flourish and animals continue their daily routines. When she awakens after some time, she’s able to communicate with the animals, even though they’re initially frightened by her.
Over time, Roz discovers her purpose following a sad accident and the unexpected task of nurturing an adorable, homeless gosling named Brightbill (Kit Connor). Now, Roz’s objective is to guide this young bird to maturity so it can migrate south with other geese. With enthusiastic determination and aid from Fink (Pascal), a cunning fox, she takes on the challenge. While there are many exciting events in the story yet untold (such as thrilling action sequences), revealing more would spoil it. However, “The Wild Robot” is worth experiencing its unexpected twists.
From the very start, you’ll notice that this film has a unique aesthetic, with elements reminiscent of paintings rather than typical animation. You’ll see strokes and smudges, as if the world were brought to life using pastels. Unlike many contemporary animations, it’s not overly stylized, ironic, or plastic-like. The soft colors used are truly enchanting. The filmmakers aimed to create a “Miyazaki forest animated through the style of Claude Monet.” Whether they achieved this is for the audience to decide, but there are moments of breathtaking beauty and grandeur in the visuals that might surprise you.
In a refreshing departure from the usual, characters’ actions in “Wild Robot” lack the overtly artificial, pre-programmed feel that is often associated with computer-generated characters. Instead, movements by both the possum and robot characters seem natural and organic, as if they were truly adapting to their environment. The creativity in Roz’s actions is captivating, considering she’s a robot without facial expressions. Despite this, we can easily empathize with her feelings and emotional journey, thanks to Nyong’o’s endearing, innocent vocal performance, and the powerful storytelling through action and atmosphere.
Initially, Lupita Nyong’o’s character, Roz, is designed to be cheerful despite setbacks. She’s a being seeking purpose, humorously asking “Did anyone order me?” as animals scamper away from her. What endears us to her isn’t just her sincerity, but her readiness to grow and adapt. Despite having fewer traditional acting tools at her disposal, Nyong’o skillfully expresses urgency, commitment, and ultimately, love. Even jaded moviegoers accustomed to the rigidity of formula in many other animated films might find it difficult not to cheer for Roz, who is selfless, resilient, and endowed with a warm heart. Nyong’o shares the spotlight with the scene-stealing Pascal, while Bill Nighy, Catherine O’Hara, Mark Hamill, Matt Berry, and others lend their voices to various island creatures.
In “The Wild Robot,” the adventure serves as a path for both robot and goose to understand themselves better and reach their full potential. This story delves into the essence of family, particularly the families we form, and the creation of a community. At its core, however, is a deep tale about parenting, similar to “The Giving Tree.” Much like some people who believed they comprehended how their lives would alter once they had children, Roz discovers she needs to revise her programming to nurture this child. The tasks connected with this role gradually transform into something that, despite being composed of circuits and microchips enclosed in metal, can only be defined as love.
In Brightbill’s journey towards self-reliance, there’s a poignant reminder of the most crucial parental duty – one that continues perpetually. Yet, when carried out skillfully, it signifies farewell to the shared life you’ve experienced together. Every aspect – the struggles, the excitement, the humor, the character development – contributes to the film’s authentic emotional climaxes. Despite being populated by mechanical and animal characters, “The Wild Robot” represents a heartening stride towards empathy in big-budget, studio animation.
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2024-09-26 20:32