Review: THE WILD ROBOT is a Beautiful Animated Film and One of the Best of The Year
The Wild Robot is a beautifully crafted animated film that left me absolutely floored. It’s easily the best animated movie I’ve seen this year. I even thought it it was better than Pixar’s Inside Out 2, which I loved.l
The film not only delivers stunning visual artistry but also tells an original powerful, emotional story that tugs at the heartstrings in ways I didn’t expect. There were several moments throughout the movie that had me and others in the audience in tears.
The story follows Roz, a ROZZUM unit robot, who finds itself stranded on an uninhabited island and must learn to survive. The beauty of the narrative is in how Roz, a machine, slowly builds relationships with the animals on the island and even becomes an adoptive parent to an orphaned gosling.
It’s a wonderful journey of self-discovery, highlighting the delicate balance between technology and nature, and it makes you ponder the deeper questions about life, connection, and what it means to truly be alive.
The writing of this film is exceptional, but what really takes it to another level is the stunning animation and art style.
Director Chris Sanders, who has brought us other films like How to Train Your Dragon, The Croods, and Lilo & Stitch, really outdid himself here.
He beautifully captures the illustrative backgrounds and character designs, offering a visual style that feels nostalgic yet fresh. The style of The Wild Robot stands out with its intentional artistry, blending classic charm with modern sensibilities.
The filmmaker previously explained that he was inspired by stories like Bambi and talked about how he wanted to capture the look of the illustrative backgrounds and character designs, which have been lost with computerized imagery. He managed to pull that off for this movie.
The voice cast is another aspect that elevates the film. Lupita Nyong’o voices Roz with a warmth and tenderness that humanizes the character.
Pedro Pascal as Fink the fox, Catherine O’Hara as Pinktail the opossum, and Bill Nighy as Longneck the goose all give outstanding performances that bring their characters to life in fantastic ways. Kit Connor’s portrayal of the gosling Brightbill is endearing.
What struck me most about The Wild Robot is how inspiring it is. As I walked out of the theater, I felt uplifted and happy. It’s the kind of movie that makes you want to share it with everyone.
It’s one of those films that I’m going to have to start dragging people out to go see. I love sharing great movies with family and friends and this is a movie worth going out to the theater to watch!
Films like this remind me of why I love going to the movies in the first place. There’s something magical about experiencing a story that moves you in profound ways, and this one is worth the trip to the theater.
If you're looking for a great movie filled with heart and soul, The Wild Robot is a must-see. It’s an instant classic.