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INTRODUCTION
Czech writer Karel Čapek introduced the term “robot” into the English and science fiction vocabulary. The word “robot” comes from a Slavic root that means “labor.”
Čapek’s 1920 stage play Rossum’s Universal Robots was the first to apply the word to mechanical humanoids.
Sanders’ passion for The Wild Robot started with his daughter and carried on to being hired to direct the movie adaptation for DreamWorks.
It’s entirely hand-painted, captures a new generation take on classic Disney, and borrows heavily from the works of Hayao Miyazaki.
It’s also very notable for being the last fully in-house animated movie by DreamWorks before they moved over to outside studios for most productions.
The Wild Robot (2024) is an animated science fiction survival movie with a storyline from the book series by Peter Brown.
The movie’s voices include Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Catherine O’Hara, Matt Berry, and Ving Rhames, and Nyong’o voicing Roz.
The Wild Robot opened in U.S. cinemas on September 27, 2024. The film runs just over 1 hour and 40 minutes and is rated PG for action, peril, and thematic content.
THE WILD ROBOT (2024) OFFICIAL TRAILER
WHAT IS THE WILD ROBOT ABOUT?
In a future where the touch of humanity has become barely existent, a shipwreck casts the only functioning robot, unit 7134-who calls herself Roz-onto a desolate, untamed island. Her cold, mechanical existence is shattered when curious wildlife, unconsciously, drags her into a world she cannot fathom.
Misunderstood by every creature she comes across, Roz starts survival mode, absorbing all the secrets the island can provide, and learning a language that can be understood by animals.
But when a horrific accident forces Roz to face her confusing emotions, she is forced to make an impossible decision, the vulnerable life she has just accidentally threatened.
As Brightbill the hatchling grows, so does Roz’s connection to him, an attachment she was never designed to experience. But when he learns the dark truth about his family’s destruction, a terrifying fracture opens up between them.
Now with a purpose that contradicts her maternal bond, Roz is in a predicament. Can she protect Brightbill from the vicious world out there by going against her very programming? As a deadly storm prepares to pound the island, Roz will stop at nothing to save the family she has grown to love.
MY THOUGHTS ON THE WILD ROBOT
“The Wild Robot” was an extra-special animated movie with an absorbing storyline, full of breathtaking visuals.
Directed by Chris Sanders, an excellent creator of machines/monsters in movies like Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon.
This is no ordinary children’s movie; this is an animated masterpiece combining humor, emotion, and deep philosophical questions.
The themes of survival, community, and love are discussed in a manner that will surely appeal to both children and adults alike.
THE WILD ROBOT (2024) FILM REVIEW
CHARACTER PERFORMANCE
One of the standouts when it comes to The Wild Robot has to be that of the characters’ performances-voice acting, in particular. Lupita Nyong’o nails Roz with such an uncommonly warm, vulnerable, and deep performance so relatable even to a character made of metal.
Roz is a robot who doesn’t understand emotions or feelings early on but grows in ways that feel deeply relatable through her relationships with the animals on the island.
Equally as impressive is the voice cast: Pedro Pascal plays Fink, a fox who begins as an antagonist of Roz’s but later becomes one of her most valued allies. His voice work is as charming, and subtly witty, as gives Fink a fully rounded character arc.
Kit Connor does the voice of lovable Gosling Brightbill and brings innocence and heartwarming vibes to the film. How they interact with Roz constitutes the film’s emotional core, and it is impossible to be unmoved by the dynamic between mother and son.
Other notable performances were by Bill Nighy as Longneck the Heron, Ving Rhames as Thunderbird, and Mark Hamill as Thorn the Bear. Each brings his distinctive flair to the characters, giving life and personality to the island’s inhabitants.
VISUAL DESIGN AND CINEMATOGRAPHY
Visually, The Wild Robot is nothing short of stunning. A person could tell here that Chris Sanders has a background in animation, as the design within the film is perhaps the strongest aspect of the film.
The entire film features a hand-painted look with mixes of CGI, something Sanders himself described as “a Monet painting in a Miyazaki forest.”
This description perfectly caught the delicate balance between artistic beauty and the rugged natural world.
The cinematography does an ample job capturing both the grand scale of the wilderness and the quiet moments between its characters. Nature scenes with Roz are especially entertaining while one watches her adapt to her new environment.
The emotional draw of the film is enhanced by the use of lighting and color. Warm, bright colors are used in bonding and happiness scenes, and its opposite tone can be heard in cooler tones of isolation and danger. It is quiet, subtle guidance for the audience without being too manipulative.
WRITING STYLE AND STORY
The writing in The Wild Robot can be simple and profound all at once. An adaptation of Peter Brown’s book, this movie has a linear storyline but doesn’t hesitate in skimming deep and philosophical questions.
At its core, it is a story of survival and adjustment; family, love, and what it truly means to be alive are other temptational themes. Roz’s journey of self-discovery is written in such a way that you truly care about her character.
Though she is a robot, her emotions and experiences are incredibly human a good example it is of writing for this film.
The dialogues are crisp and meaningful. The film knows exactly when to be funny and when to get serious, and that is what keeps the audience glued to their seats from start to finish.
Another strong point is that the pacing is pretty great; no scene in the movie was too unnecessary or felt dragged on. The movie is 100 minutes long but utilizes every second to build up its world and characters.
One of the most affecting elements of the story is the relationship between Roz and Brightbill, the Gosling she adopts. The heart of this film, their bond is both heartwarming to see her learn how to take care of another life and poignant in other ways.
The story takes some pretty predictable turns, but it’s so well executed that even the familiar beats feel new and significant.
THEMES
The general themes represented in The Wild Robot make it both approachable and relevant to all audiences. Most prevailing is the question of survival-not only on a literal level but on a figurative one too.
Roz will have to work out how to live in an environment that is completely alien to her even though she is a machine. This theme resonates with the audience because it reflects our struggles to adapt to change and life’s challenges.
Another dominant theme is family: Roz, once alienated from emotions, achieves a maternal affection for Brightbill. It is a beautiful look into what it means to be able to care for someone else and how love can simply alter someone in this case, a robot.
The film further depicts society and collaboration. Roz’s interaction with the island animals epitomizes how different beings can put their heads together in partnership for the sake of supporting one another, even against adversity. This message of unity and teamwork is timely and important, especially today.
CONCLUSION
The Wild Robot is an exceptional movie that has gone beyond the limits set by typical animation. Visually striking, emotionally resonant, and full of valuable life lessons, Chris Sanders did a marvelous job with the film that will surely charm kids and grownups alike.
With powerful performances, great visuals, and a deeply poignant storyline, The Wild Robot easily finds itself among the top animated films of 2024.
Both for animation fans and simply those who seek a great storyline, The Wild Robot is an adventure that will stick long afterward.
Highly recommended for anyone looking to get a film that is just as entertaining as it is thought-provoking.
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