‘The Wild Robot’ Review: It’s No ‘Iron Giant,’ Though DreamWorks’ Tale of a Wayward Droid Is a Keeper

As a seasoned cinema devotee with a heart that beats for animation and a mind that craves meaningful narratives, I found “The Wild Robot” to be nothing short of a visual masterpiece, nestled within the realm of computer-generated cartoons. It’s a delightful blend of technology and emotion, a testament to the artistry of DreamWorks Animation and the voice acting prowess of Lupita Nyong’o.

A beautifully crafted animated film, DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot,” boasts an intriguing blend of high-tech aesthetics and a beating human heart within. Released at a time when there’s heightened public anxiety about artificial intelligence outsmarting us, it’s somewhat amusing that the movie, which is a heartwarming tale of family found in Peter Brown’s “The Wild Robot” series, doesn’t have any significant human characters.

In my perspective, the captivating narrative of “The Wild Robot” revolves around a meticulously crafted robot named ROZZUM 7134, affectionately known as Roz. While Lupita Nyong’o lends a part of her spirit to this mechanical marvel, the rest is a testament to the creative genius of the artists at DWA. Working alongside Chris Sanders, the co-director of “How to Train Your Dragon”, they infuse Roz – a unique blend of two spheres, four limbs, and an assortment of tools reminiscent of a Swiss Army knife – with nurturing instincts and what appears to be a heartfelt soul.

In the movie’s universe, Roz stands out due to her emotional independence, but Universal Dynamics, the company that built her for assisting customers in any task they need, sees this trait as a weakness. After all, Roz was created to be accommodating. But what happens when she ends up stranded on an isolated island with no one to cater to?

In reality, the location where “The Wild Robot” story unfolds is far from being deserted; it bustles with life in all forms. For instance, crabs are seen teaching the robot Roz to climb cliffs during the movie’s initial moments, and there’s a menacing group of raccoons who seem bent on destroying her internally. This secluded paradise can be described as an expansive forest, inhabited by numerous animals that wouldn’t hesitate to dine on each other at mealtime.

Although not initially designed for animal customers, Roz persists in finding someone to aid. “Can I help you?” she queries a crab just as a seagull snatches it away for a meal. (Too late.) She poses the question of assistance to a fox named Fink (Pedro Pascal), who refuses but is shrewd enough to discern that this mechanical device could prove useful. In time, Roz chooses a gosling called Brightbill (Kit Connor), whose home she destroyed upon landing, inadvertently killing its parents.

Unlike many children’s shows that often soften or avoid the topic of death, “The Wild Robot” approaches it in a more realistic way. In this world, death is simply a part of life and happens frequently. One of the island’s wiser creatures, embodying Confucian philosophies, remarks that the nearness of death makes life more vibrant. Brightbill, who was not expected to survive, is a runt struggling to learn how to fly, as he’s crucial for Longneck (Bill Nighy), an elder from the flock, who hopes Roz will teach him these skills.

The mechanical nanny confidently states, ‘A ROZZUM will always finish its assignment,’ which can feel somewhat overbearing at times. Instead, a more subtle adaptation of ‘The Wild Robot’ could have been developed, similar to ‘Wall-E’, where the emotion is inferred from the character design, blending elements of BB-8 and Baymax.

It’s interesting to note that animation viewers have seen many robots before, and it’s unfortunate that the artists responsible for this production didn’t push the boundaries more to make Roz stand out from previous robotic characters like those in Studio Ghibli’s Laputa squad or last year’s simple “Robot Dreams.” At the pinnacle of inspiration, we have “The Iron Giant,” a Brad Bird masterpiece often overlooked in theaters but found its audience eventually. The scenic landscapes and autumnal color scheme of this film clearly left an impact on this project.

Nevertheless, no animated film has mirrored the world quite as uniquely as this one. Although the animals’ designs are somewhat less than ideal (for instance, the geese could use improvement, particularly when put beside the legendary duck-billed characters Daffy and Donald), the environments portrayed in an expressionistic manner can be absolutely awe-inspiring.

Sunsets, ocean vistas, and shifting seasons evoke the sensation of a vivid landscape calendar unfolding in real life, with Sanders’ agile camera gliding through these expanses. He often composes shots from a considerate vantage point, thereby making the environment appear larger than his characters. This lends an almost celestial ambiance to the scenes, subtly emphasizing how vast and potentially overpowering the world might seem to a “wild” robot and its wild companions.

It’s uncertain if any of these creatures will make it through. Regrettably, some perish, while others sustain injuries or even lose limbs (such as Roz, who depends on a beaver to carve her a prosthetic leg). In the harsh winter that follows Brightbill’s departure, Roz extends shelter to all the remaining animals, regardless of whether they are predators or prey. Initially, her family is small – just herself, Brightfill, and Fink – but eventually, it expands to include the entire island.

The story progresses with montages over scenes, allowing visuals to express the feelings of Brightbill’s migration, accompanied by Maren Morris’ original song “Kiss the Sky.” Unlike many films featuring talking animals, “The Wild Robot” stands out as the robot learns the languages of these creatures for our comprehension. Though her intelligence is artificial, it’s Roz’s emotional responses that make her character endearing and appealing.

2024-09-09 01:17

‘The Wild Robot’ Review: It’s No ‘Iron Giant,’ Though DreamWorks’ Tale of a Wayward Droid Is a Keeper

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