Film: The Wild Robot
Voices of: Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor
Directed by: Chris Sanders
Duration: 1 hour 42 minutes
Rating: * * * *
The Wild Robot, inspired by Peter Brown's 2016 novel of the same name, is a film that skillfully balances its emotional elements, resulting in a gratifying experience for both children and adults. While the notion of a robot experiencing emotions is not entirely original, it is the narrative and its execution that truly set this film apart. Achieving the right emotional resonance, whether from a human or a robot, is crucial, and Chris Sanders has struck gold with this film.
In the realm of animation, filmmakers have the freedom to explore imaginative concepts, including anthropomorphic animals and fantastical scenarios. The integration of advanced technology also allows for breathtaking visuals; however, the essence of a compelling film lies in its cohesive storyline, which Sanders and his team have effectively delivered. Although the premise of a robot nurturing an orphaned goose may initially seem implausible, The Wild Robot succeeds in evoking an
emotional response.
Sanders has described the film as a 'Monet painting in a Miyazaki forest'. When your ambitions are so high, even if you succeed fractionally, you've still done a good job, and Sanders has done better than that.
The narrative begins with a robot named ROZZUM (voiced by Lupita Nyong'o), who self-assembles after being washed ashore on a deserted island as part of a cargo shipment. Designed to assist and fulfill tasks assigned by its owner, ROZZUM finds herself alone on the island, accompanied only by a variety of animals. She also has the capability to send a distress signal to her parent company to indicate her location.
In her efforts to assist the local wildlife, she inadvertently causes panic among the animals, who flee in all directions, perceiving her as a monstrous figure. Among them is a fox named Fink, voiced by Pedro Pascal, with whom she ultimately forms a friendship.On the island, there is a grizzly bear named Thorn (Mark Hamill), an opossum named Pinktail, (Catherine O'Hara) and her young, as well as a beaver named Paddler. The scene depicting the animals' chaotic escape stretches long enough to instill a sense of uncertainty about whether this will be yet another typical animal film. Fortunately, the narrative takes
a different turn.
The commotion stops when ROZZUM, also known as Roz, accidentally crushes a nest, resulting in the demise of a family and their eggs, save for one, which she nurtures with great care. Upon the hatching of the goose, she names it Brightbill (Kit Connor) and tends to it as a mother would to her child. As she diligently trains Brightbill to fulfill her 'task', she also gains insight into the jungle's laws and the predators that inhabit it, including her friend Fink, who frequently expresses his desire to consume
other animals.
Transitioning from a perceived antagonist, Roz successfully unites the entire community while ensuring that Brightbill learns essential survival skills, aided by an elderly goose named Longneck (Bill Nighy). Every feel-good film typically features a villain, and in this case, it is another robot dispatched by the company to retrieve Roz and bring her
to the factory.
Nyong'o's voice lends a unique depth to Roz's character-though a robot, she exhibits a remarkable sensitivity. Even before the character develops 'feelings', the voice imbues her with a human-like quality, despite her robotic demeanour.
The relationship between the robot and the goose, portrayed as a mother-son bond, is handled with a delicate touch that resonates emotionally. The writing strikes a commendable balance, ensuring that moments of conflict are appropriately measured and
not excessive.
Contrary to what the title might imply, the robot is not as unruly as one might expect; rather, she is soft-hearted. One cannot help but wish for a world that mirrors
her sentiments?.