The quality of DreamWorks Animation films oscillates randomly between hits, misses, and blunders: From mediocrity, an enormous, groundbreaking hit like Puss in Boots: The Last Wish will suddenly arise. And then from there, back to mediocrity like Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken or another Trolls film. Not to mention firestorm brewed from the Megamind “sequel” that came earlier last year.
Within a relatively strong line-up of animated features that made their way to the Oscars this year, DreamWorks has managed to pull out another hit for the red carpet with The Wild Robot. Adapting from an adolescent sci-fi novel of the same name, the film is directed by Chris Sanders, most well-known for the Disney classic Lilo & Stitch. Rather appropriate for a film which deals with similar themes (And ironic with the upcoming live-action remake).
On a future Earth, a plane carrying robotic cargo lands on an uninhabited island. Out of the many robots, only one survives and manages to be accidentally activated; A robot named ROZZUM Unit 7134, later to be simply called “Roz.” Left as a device programmed to help people on an island with no people, Roz works to aid the wildlife instead, soon becoming entangled in their lives and world, and in turn learning more about her own.
Just from appearances, The Wild Robot is a marvel, making use of the mix of painterly textures with 3D capabilities brought forth from The Last Wish and making a film that may even top that picture’s usage. A slight tinge more of realism here in the character in foreground that complements the film’s natural themes and setting and brings the beauty out of its environment, from soft evening light against swathes of trees to the rush of water from the ocean.
Within this setting comes a rather heady set of themes and relationships. Roz’s interactions and adaptations to the island soon give bloom to a complicated set of relationships and issues, between her mothering of a gosling, her struggle for purpose and against the expectations of her manufacturers, and the island’s often cruel nature which stands in stark contrast to her deliberate helpfulness. A rather heavy set of topics for a film that may otherwise be taken as just another family release, doubled on by some dark humor, death, and even allusions to a climate change-based disaster through the film that give the sense of a more twisted Bambi, though without ever breaking the PG limit.
If there is any issue, it is more often in the story perhaps being a bit too encumbered by its ideas and themes. Never to a film-ruining extent, but one wherein the pacing and beats feel clustered or come across somewhat rushed or disjointed. A lot to put together for a film that stands at just around 100 minutes, and does lead the final act to not feel quite as powerful as it would be in full.
But being somewhat loaded by being too substantive is hardly the worst issue. Eased just as well by the wonderful characters given great performances by Lupita Nyong’o (As Roz), Kit Connor (As the goose Brightbill), and Pedro Pascal (As the fox Fink) among others. By characters and their interactions alone, the film remains both compelling and entertaining.
The Wild Robot is a stellar picture, well worth its placement in the Oscars and a watch at home, where it can be viewed through subscription to Peacock or purchase or rental.
James Daly is a senior media and communications studies major and an arts and culture writer for The Retriever. Contact James at jamesd4@umbc.edu.
