Movie Review | ‘The Wild Robot’– Ferociously moving

Robots don’t always get a fair shake in movies. They’re usually depicted as murderous machines intent on wiping out humanity, or at the very least subjugating it. Fighting against such a threat can be entertaining, but evoking emotional attachment to what should be a cold and unfeeling thing is far more rewarding.

Enter The Wild Robot that takes the artificial intelligence ROZZUM Unit 7134, and turns her into Roz, the mother of a goose named Brightbill.

The transformation from machine to mom is exceptionally well done. The film opens with a series of mishaps as Roz awakens in the forest of an island, with her only neighbours being all manner of woodland creatures. She quickly learns the ropes, but not without undergoing encounters that leave her worse for wear, including a two-faced fox. Her misadventures create the unlikely pairing of a hatching goose, who needs a mother, and a robot that needs a task.

Touching relationship

What starts out as Roz’s prime directive quickly morphs into a touching relationship between mother and son. As Brightbill learns to eat, swim, and fly, Roz becomes increasingly concerned with his safety, his ability to connect with others, and all the worries that come with being a mother. Although Roz is well equipped to handle any task, she soon discovers that, unfortunately, raising a child doesn’t come with a manual.

The film convinces you of this connection through a series of endearing montages and a heartfelt performance by Lupita Nyong’o. As Roz evolves, Nyong’o’s voice work shifts from structured and pointed to warm and loving. As Roz defies her programming, the animals she encounters go against their instincts, transitioning from wanting to eat each other to becoming almost civilised. The Wild Robot delivers a strong message about the importance of community, in whatever form you can find it.

The animation is stunning, with the island teeming with life. Vibrant vistas are awe-inspiring, accompanied by a booming score that at times elevates The Wild Robot to a cinematic epic. The hand-drawn illustration style for the characters gives them just enough emotion to be whimsical, while grounding them enough to keep the story from feeling overly cartoonish.

In a year packed with strong contenders in the space of animation, The Wild Robot makes a bold claim for the top spot. The story of Roz and Brightbill will move many audience members to tears, and the film is a visual treasure, filled with excitement, drama and, above all else, love.

Rating: Big Screen Watch

Damian Levy is a film critic and podcaster for Damian Michael Movies.